Which assessment finding is indicative of diabetic ketoacidosis?

Kussmaul respirations are a specific type of deep, labored breathing that occurs as a compensatory mechanism in response to metabolic acidosis, which is a key component of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). In DKA, the body produces excess ketones due to a lack of insulin, resulting in a decrease in blood pH and leading to acidosis.

As the body attempts to correct this imbalance, it increases the rate and depth of respirations to expel carbon dioxide, thereby helping to raise the pH back toward normal levels. This respiratory response is distinctive and serves as a hallmark sign of DKA, helping to differentiate it from other conditions that may present similarly.

Recognizing Kussmaul respirations during an assessment can be critical for identifying DKA in a patient with diabetes, leading to timely intervention and management of this potentially life-threatening condition.