A nurse is caring for a client who has diabetic ketoacidosis. Which of the following manifestations should the nurse expect?

A. Partial pressure of CO2 50 mm Hg (35 to 45 mm Hg): In DKA the partial pressure of CO2 decreases due to hyperventilation, which is the body’s compensatory mechanism to blow off CO2 and correct metabolic acidosis. A CO2 level of 50 mm Hg would suggest insufficient compensation. B. Serum bicarbonate 9 mEq/L (21 to 28 mEq/L): In DKA, serum bicarbonate levels decrease due to the accumulation of ketoacids, leading to metabolic acidosis. A level of 9 mEq/L is significantly lower than the normal range and indicates the severity of acidosis. C. Blood glucose 230 mg/dL (74 to 106 mg/dL): Blood glucose levels in DKA are typically much higher than 230 mg/dL. Blood glucose levels in DKA can exceed 250 mg/dL, often reaching 600 mg/dL or higher, due to insufficient insulin. D. pH 7.5 (7.35 to 7.45): The pH in DKA is usually low, indicating acidosis. A pH of 7.5 is higher than the normal range, suggesting alkalosis, which is not consistent with DKA. Typically, the pH in DKA is below 7.35 due to metabolic acidosis.