Metabolic acidosis is commonly associated with which respiratory pattern?

• A. Bradypnea
• B. Cheyne-Stokes
• C. Kussmaul respirations
• D. Apneustic breathing

Answer: (C)

Metabolic acidosis triggers a compensatory respiratory response aimed at raising pH by blowing off CO2. This shows up as Kussmaul breathing: deep, rapid, and labored breaths with little or no pause between them. The goal is to decrease carbon dioxide levels, which helps shift the acid–base balance toward less hydrogen ion concentration. This pattern is commonly seen with conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis or severe lactic acidosis. In contrast, Bradypnea is slow breathing and can worsen acidosis; Cheyne-Stokes is a waxing and waning pattern with periods of apnea often due to CNS or heart failure; and apneustic breathing features a prolonged inspiratory pause from brainstem injury. So the presence of intense, regular deep breathing in a metabolic acidosis scenario points to Kussmaul respiration.