A patient with Type I diabetes mellitus is seen at theER. She’s been feeling nauseous so eating very littleand not taking her insulin for the last 24 hours. Observations and data:
Respiratory rate = 25 breaths/min (normal = 12)
Blood pressure = 90/50 (normal = 120/80)
Heart rate = 125 beats/min (normal = 70)
Blood glucose = 600 mg/dL (normal = 90-100 mg/dL)
Urine flow rate = 2.5x greater than normal
Arterial pH = 7.25 (normal = 7.4)
Explain the process leading to elevated respiratoryrate. Would a blood gas measurement show that her arterialPCO2 is low, normal or high? Why?