A patient in shock is diagnosed with metabolic acidosis. What should the nurse realize as being the mechanism behind the development of this acid-base imbalance?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Metabolic acidosis in a patient in shock is primarily due to excessive anaerobic metabolism. When tissues are underperfused, as in shock, they switch from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism for energy production, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid and thus metabolic acidosis.

A Patient in Shock Is Diagnosed with Metabolic Acidosis