medium · MCAT chem-phys
A patient with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus develops a fruity odor on their breath and begins breathing very rapidly and deeply.
According to the bicarbonate buffer system (CO_2 + H_2O rightleftharpoons H_2CO_3 rightleftharpoons H^+ + HCO_3^-), how does this respiratory change help compensate for their condition?
- Rapid breathing increases O_2 levels, which directly neutralizes the ketone bodies in the blood.
- Rapid breathing increases CO_2 retention, providing more carbonic acid to buffer the basic ketones.
- Rapid breathing expels CO_2, shifting the equilibrium to the left and consuming excess H^+.
- Rapid breathing shifts the equilibrium to the right, increasing the production of bicarbonate ions.
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