North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

Which of the following groups is typically associated with Kussmaul respirations?

1. Diabetics in ketoacidosis

2. Patients with chronic bronchitis

3. Individuals with lung cancer

4. Asthma patients during an attack

The correct answer is: Diabetics in ketoacidosis

Kussmaul respirations are a specific type of abnormal breathing pattern characterized by deep, rapid breaths. They are most commonly observed in individuals experiencing metabolic acidosis, particularly in cases of diabetic ketoacidosis. When the body becomes excessively acidic due to the accumulation of ketones from fat metabolism, the respiratory system attempts to compensate by increasing the rate and depth of breathing in order to blow off carbon dioxide, thereby reducing acid levels in the blood. This physiological response is a compensatory mechanism to correct the acidosis. In the context of the other groups mentioned, chronic bronchitis is typically associated with a different breathing pattern involving wheezing and shallow respirations due to airway obstruction. Individuals with lung cancer may demonstrate various respiratory patterns, influenced by the tumor's impact on lung function, but they do not generally exhibit Kussmaul respirations. Similarly, asthma patients during an attack usually present with difficulty exhaling, leading to wheezing and shortness of breath rather than deep, rapid breathing like Kussmaul respirations.