Diabetes mellitus produces many homeostatic imbalances, including acidosis. The pH imbalance is due to ketoacidosis, which results from excessive accumulation of by-products of fat metabolism, as the body cannot meet energy needs from carbohydrate metabolism. Sally is a teenaged diabetic who sometimes rebels by not taking her insulin. Her mother takes her to the hospital because her breathing has

Question

become deep and gasping. Explain Sally's breathing pattern. What other compensatory responses may occur, and would they occur earlier or later than the respiratory response?

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Sally's respiratory system is responding to her ketoacidosis. By hyperventilating, she removes more CO2 from her blood, which shifts the carbonic acid equation to the right, removing free H+ and raising pH. Chemical buffering in the blood occurs immediately after the initial pH disturbance, as this is an ongoing process. The kidneys buffer more slowly, so they are effective later.