A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and notes that the client has Kussmaul respirations. Which of the following explanations should the nurse give to the client about this type of breathing pattern?

Choice A reason:

Aspirin or other salicylates can cause metabolic acidosis, not respiratory alkalosis, by increasing the production of organic acids and interfering with bicarbonate reabsorption in the kidneys.

Choice B reason:

Breathing into a paper bag when feeling anxious can help prevent or treat respiratory alkalosis by increasing the carbon dioxide levels in the blood and lowering the pH. Anxiety can cause respiratory alkalosis by stimulating hyperventilation, which decreases the carbon dioxide levels in the blood and raises the pH.

Choice C reason:

Drinking more fluids to prevent dehydration can help prevent or treat metabolic alkalosis, not respiratory alkalosis, by increasing the renal excretion of bicarbonate and lowering the pH. Dehydration can cause metabolic alkalosis by decreasing the renal excretion of bicarbonate and raising the pH.

Choice D reason:

Monitoring blood sugar levels regularly can help prevent or treat diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a type of metabolic acidosis, not respiratory alkalosis, by increasing the production of ketone bodies and lowering the pH. Diabetic ketoacidosis can occur when there is insufficient insulin to metabolize glucose and the body resorts to fat breakdown for energy.

Choice A reason:

Kussmaul respirations are not a compensatory mechanism to increase oxygen intake, but rather to decrease carbon dioxide levels in the blood. Oxygen intake is not affected by Kussmaul respirations, which are characterized by deep and rapid breaths.

Choice B reason:

Kussmaul respirations are not a sign of respiratory failure and impending coma, but rather a sign of metabolic acidosis and an attempt to correct it. Respiratory failure and coma can occur in DKA if the condition is not treated promptly and effectively, but they are not indicated by Kussmaul respirations alone.

Choice C reason:

Kussmaul respirations are not an attempt to lower blood pressure by exhaling more air, but rather an attempt to lower blood acidity by exhaling more carbon dioxide. Blood pressure is not affected by Kussmaul respirations, which are caused by increased acidity in the blood due to the accumulation of ketone bodies from fat breakdown.

Choice D reason:

Kussmaul respirations are a response to lower blood acidity by exhaling more carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is an acidic gas that can lower the pH of the blood when it accumulates. By exhaling more carbon dioxide, the body tries to raise the pH of the blood and compensate for the metabolic acidosis caused by DKA.