In diabetic ketoacidosis with marked hyperglycemia and acetone, the arterial blood gas would most likely show which finding?

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Multiple Choice

In diabetic ketoacidosis with marked hyperglycemia and acetone, the arterial blood gas would most likely show which finding?

Explanation:
Ketone bodies accumulate in diabetic ketoacidosis, releasing hydrogen ions and consuming bicarbonate, which creates a metabolic acidosis. On arterial blood gas this shows up as a reduced pH (acidic) with a low bicarbonate and a compensatory decrease in PaCO2 from hyperventilation. PO2 is not inherently affected by the acidosis. So the most likely finding is a low pH.

Ketone bodies accumulate in diabetic ketoacidosis, releasing hydrogen ions and consuming bicarbonate, which creates a metabolic acidosis. On arterial blood gas this shows up as a reduced pH (acidic) with a low bicarbonate and a compensatory decrease in PaCO2 from hyperventilation. PO2 is not inherently affected by the acidosis. So the most likely finding is a low pH.

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