Metabolic acidosis is described as a:

Prepare for the BOC Clinical Chemistry Test with our comprehensive quiz. Study with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations. Enhance your readiness and confidence for the exam!

Multiple Choice

Metabolic acidosis is described as a:

Explanation:
Metabolic acidosis lowers the blood pH because bicarbonate is lost or acid accumulates. To compensate, the body increases ventilation and blows off CO2, which lowers the PCO2 in the blood. So you end up with a decreased pH along with a reduced CO2 content/PCO2 due to respiratory compensation. The other patterns don’t fit: more CO2 would worsen acidosis, while less CO2 with higher pH points to alkalosis, not metabolic acidosis.

Metabolic acidosis lowers the blood pH because bicarbonate is lost or acid accumulates. To compensate, the body increases ventilation and blows off CO2, which lowers the PCO2 in the blood. So you end up with a decreased pH along with a reduced CO2 content/PCO2 due to respiratory compensation. The other patterns don’t fit: more CO2 would worsen acidosis, while less CO2 with higher pH points to alkalosis, not metabolic acidosis.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy