Final answer:
C. Kussmaul respirations, characterized by deep, rapid breathing, is the respiration pattern seen in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis, as the body tries to compensate for the acidosis by expelling more CO2.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of respiration pattern seen in patients who present with diabetic ketoacidosis is C. Kussmaul respirations.
This respiration pattern is characterized by deep, rapid breathing. It occurs as a physiological response to the acidosis; the body attempts to counteract the increased blood acidity by expelling more CO2 through increased ventilation.
As ketone bodies such as acetoacetic acid, beta-hydroxybutyric acid, and acetone accumulate in the blood, the respiratory centers in the brain respond by increasing the depth and rate of breathing to reduce acid levels.
Kussmaul respirations are a common early symptom of ketoacidosis, and they serve as a compensatory mechanism to drive off CO2 and attempt to restore normal pH levels to the blood.
This contrasts with other respiration patterns such as hypoventilation, bradypnea, and tachypnea, which have different underlying causes and physiological responses.