Which breathing pattern is commonly observed in diabetic ketoacidosis?

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Metabolic acidosis from diabetic ketoacidosis triggers the body's wry but effective response: rapid, deep, labored breathing aimed at blowing off carbon dioxide to raise pH. This distinctive pattern is known as Kussmaul respirations. It reflects the respiratory system compensating for the acidemia by increasing tidal volume and rate to reduce hydrogen ion concentration. Quick, shallow breaths or pauses would not achieve that compensation, and slow breathing or no breathing isn’t consistent with this response. So the breathing pattern you’d expect in diabetic ketoacidosis is deep, rapid, labored breathing—the hallmark of Kussmaul respirations.