A 31 year old female is seen in the ER for thirst, weakness, Kussmaul respirations, and confusion. She is an insulin-dependent diabetic but states that she has stopped taking her prescribed insulin injections because she cannot afford them. Blood glucose tests show her blood glucose is 450 mg/dL and urinalysis indicates ketonuria and glucosuria. a. What are Kussmaul respirations? b. Normal blood glucose levels in the adult range from 70-120 mg/dL. Why is her blood glucose so high? c. What would you expect her blood pH to be (too acidic, too alkaline, or within normal limits?) Thoroughly explain why you would expect this.

Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
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Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
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**Case Study for Educational Review:**

**Scenario Overview:**

A 31-year-old female is assessed in the Emergency Room (ER) for symptoms of thirst, weakness, Kussmaul respirations, and confusion. She has a history of insulin-dependent diabetes and reports discontinuation of her prescribed insulin injections due to financial constraints. Laboratory investigations reveal a blood glucose level of 450 mg/dL, and urinalysis shows ketonuria and glucosuria.

**Questions for Consideration:**

1. **What are Kussmaul respirations?**
   - Kussmaul respirations are deep, labored breathing patterns often associated with severe metabolic acidosis, particularly diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), where the body attempts to rid itself of excess acid by increasing the respiratory rate.

2. **Normal blood glucose levels in the adult range from 70-120 mg/dL. Why is her blood glucose so high?**
   - The patient's elevated blood glucose level is likely due to insulin deficiency, as she has stopped taking her prescribed insulin. Without insulin, glucose cannot effectively enter cells for energy use, causing an accumulation in the bloodstream.

3. **What would you expect her blood pH to be (too acidic, too alkaline, or within normal limits)? Thoroughly explain why you would expect this.**
   - You would expect her blood pH to be too acidic. This condition, known as acidosis, occurs because, without insulin, her body begins to break down fats for energy, leading to the production of ketones, which are acidic in nature.

   a. **Is the primary cause of the pH imbalance respiratory or metabolic?**
      - The primary cause is metabolic due to the accumulation of ketones, leading to metabolic acidosis.

   b. **Identify the pH imbalance in this scenario. Your response should include the terms respiratory or metabolic and acidosis or alkalosis.**
      - The pH imbalance is metabolic acidosis.

   c. **Describe how her body will compensate to restore homeostasis.**
      - Her body compensates through an increase in breathing rate and depth (Kussmaul respirations) to expel CO2 and reduce acidity. Additionally, the kidneys may attempt to excrete more hydrogen ions and retain bicarbonate, although this is limited in acute settings.
Transcribed Image Text:**Case Study for Educational Review:** **Scenario Overview:** A 31-year-old female is assessed in the Emergency Room (ER) for symptoms of thirst, weakness, Kussmaul respirations, and confusion. She has a history of insulin-dependent diabetes and reports discontinuation of her prescribed insulin injections due to financial constraints. Laboratory investigations reveal a blood glucose level of 450 mg/dL, and urinalysis shows ketonuria and glucosuria. **Questions for Consideration:** 1. **What are Kussmaul respirations?** - Kussmaul respirations are deep, labored breathing patterns often associated with severe metabolic acidosis, particularly diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), where the body attempts to rid itself of excess acid by increasing the respiratory rate. 2. **Normal blood glucose levels in the adult range from 70-120 mg/dL. Why is her blood glucose so high?** - The patient's elevated blood glucose level is likely due to insulin deficiency, as she has stopped taking her prescribed insulin. Without insulin, glucose cannot effectively enter cells for energy use, causing an accumulation in the bloodstream. 3. **What would you expect her blood pH to be (too acidic, too alkaline, or within normal limits)? Thoroughly explain why you would expect this.** - You would expect her blood pH to be too acidic. This condition, known as acidosis, occurs because, without insulin, her body begins to break down fats for energy, leading to the production of ketones, which are acidic in nature. a. **Is the primary cause of the pH imbalance respiratory or metabolic?** - The primary cause is metabolic due to the accumulation of ketones, leading to metabolic acidosis. b. **Identify the pH imbalance in this scenario. Your response should include the terms respiratory or metabolic and acidosis or alkalosis.** - The pH imbalance is metabolic acidosis. c. **Describe how her body will compensate to restore homeostasis.** - Her body compensates through an increase in breathing rate and depth (Kussmaul respirations) to expel CO2 and reduce acidity. Additionally, the kidneys may attempt to excrete more hydrogen ions and retain bicarbonate, although this is limited in acute settings.
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