A 56-year-old man with a history of diabetes mellitus andalcoholism presents after having eaten no food and taken no insulinfor the last 3 days. He reports drinking “lots†of alcohol. Thepatient presents with low blood pressure, abnormally high restingheart rate, and an abnormally elevated rate of ventilation (36breaths/minute). He smells strongly of acetone and is dehydrated.Clinical findings are consistent with left lower lobe pneumonia.Results of ABG testing are: PO2 = 68 mm Hg, PCO2 = 17 mm Hg, HCO3-= 6 mEq/L, and pH = 7.30.
1. What is the acid-base disturbance?
2. Is he attempting to compensate? Explain your answer.
3. What would his acid-base profile be if his respiratory rate were14 breaths/minute?
