A 23-year-old man arrives at the emergency department after experiencing abdominal pain and nausea for several hours. He also claims to have vomited and to have noticed that his urine has a fruity odor. For several days, the patient has had increased thirst and urination, as well as weight loss. He has no known medical issues and does not take any medications. Pallor with cool extremities is revealed on physical examination. The abdomen is soft and not tender to palpation. To confirm the diagnosis, laboratory tests are ordered. Which of the following graph points best represents this patient's acid-base status?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Polydipsia, polyuria, and a fruity odor to the breath and/or urine are symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). DKA is characterized by high anion gap metabolic acidosis, which is usually accompanied by compensatory respiratory alkalosis. This combination results in a low pH, serum bicarbonate, and PaCO₂.

A 23-Year-Old Man Arrives at the Emergency Department After Experiencing