North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

What do Kussmaul respirations indicate?

1. Severe metabolic acidosis

2. Brain injury affecting respiratory control

3. Allergic reactions

4. Sudden lung collapse

The correct answer is: Severe metabolic acidosis

Kussmaul respirations are characterized by deep, labored breathing that typically occurs in response to severe metabolic acidosis, particularly diabetic ketoacidosis or renal failure. When the body experiences high levels of acidity, it attempts to compensate by increasing the rate and depth of breathing to expel carbon dioxide, which in turn helps to raise the blood pH. This type of hyperventilation is a metabolic response, distinct from other forms of abnormal respiration. In contrast, brain injury affecting respiratory control is usually associated with different types of breathing patterns, such as Cheyne-Stokes respiration, which involves cycles of waxing and waning depth of breathing. Allergic reactions may result in respiratory distress but would not typically manifest as Kussmaul respirations. Meanwhile, sudden lung collapse, or pneumothorax, might produce rapid and shallow breathing rather than the deep breathing characteristic of Kussmaul respirations. Understanding the distinct physiological responses involved in various conditions helps clarify the significance of Kussmaul respirations in clinical assessment.