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Multiple Choice

In ketoacidosis, what compensatory changes occur in peripheral resistance and blood pressure?

In ketoacidosis the body faces metabolic acidosis and significant fluid loss, so it activates the sympathetic nervous system and hormonal systems to maintain perfusion. Catecholamines cause vasoconstriction in many vascular beds, increasing systemic vascular resistance. This rise in resistance helps push blood pressure higher or keep it from dropping despite dehydration. At the same time, mechanisms such as RAAS activation and ongoing sympathetic drive further support vascular tone, reinforcing the high resistance and contributing to higher arterial pressure. So, the compensatory changes involve both increased peripheral resistance and an increase in blood pressure. The other options don’t fit because they imply no change or a change in only one parameter, which isn’t consistent with the combined vasoconstrictive response seen in this metabolic crisis.

In ketoacidosis the body faces metabolic acidosis and significant fluid loss, so it activates the sympathetic nervous system and hormonal systems to maintain perfusion. Catecholamines cause vasoconstriction in many vascular beds, increasing systemic vascular resistance. This rise in resistance helps push blood pressure higher or keep it from dropping despite dehydration. At the same time, mechanisms such as RAAS activation and ongoing sympathetic drive further support vascular tone, reinforcing the high resistance and contributing to higher arterial pressure. So, the compensatory changes involve both increased peripheral resistance and an increase in blood pressure. The other options don’t fit because they imply no change or a change in only one parameter, which isn’t consistent with the combined vasoconstrictive response seen in this metabolic crisis.