In a client with diabetic ketoacidosis, which arterial blood gas value would be expected?

In a client with diabetic ketoacidosis, which arterial blood gas value would be expected?

• A. pH 7.32
• B. PaCO2 47
• C. HCO3 25
• D. PaO2 78

Answer: (A)

In diabetic ketoacidosis, the body develops metabolic acidosis from accumulating ketoacids, which lowers pH and bicarbonate. The arterial blood gas pattern you expect is acidemia with a low bicarbonate and a compensatory fall in PaCO2 from rapid breathing. The value that fits this pattern is a pH of 7.32, which shows acidemia consistent with metabolic acidosis in DKA. The other values don’t fit: PaCO2 of 47 mmHg suggests respiratory retention rather than compensation for metabolic acidosis; bicarbonate of 25 mEq/L is normal and wouldn’t reflect the acidosis; and PaO2 of 78 mmHg is an oxygen value, not diagnostic of the acid-base disturbance in DKA.