What is the defining characteristic of metabolic acidosis?

What is the defining characteristic of metabolic acidosis?

• A. Increased bicarbonate concentration
• B. Decreased bicarbonate concentration
• C. Increased carbon dioxide levels
• D. Normal pH level

Answer: (B)

Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a decrease in bicarbonate concentration in the blood. In this condition, the body either produces excess acid or loses bicarbonate, leading to a drop in the bicarbonate buffering capacity. This results in a lower pH, indicating acidosis. The fundamental disturbance in metabolic acidosis is the reduced level of bicarbonate, which plays a critical role in maintaining the acid-base balance in the body. Increased carbon dioxide levels would typically indicate respiratory acidosis rather than metabolic acidosis and is not a defining characteristic of the metabolic process. The pH level is generally low in metabolic acidosis, so a normal pH would not align with this condition. Thus, the correct defining feature of metabolic acidosis is indeed the decreased concentration of bicarbonate in the bloodstream.

Metabolic acidosis is characterized by a decrease in bicarbonate concentration in the blood. In this condition, the body either produces excess acid or loses bicarbonate, leading to a drop in the bicarbonate buffering capacity. This results in a lower pH, indicating acidosis. The fundamental disturbance in metabolic acidosis is the reduced level of bicarbonate, which plays a critical role in maintaining the acid-base balance in the body.

Increased carbon dioxide levels would typically indicate respiratory acidosis rather than metabolic acidosis and is not a defining characteristic of the metabolic process. The pH level is generally low in metabolic acidosis, so a normal pH would not align with this condition. Thus, the correct defining feature of metabolic acidosis is indeed the decreased concentration of bicarbonate in the bloodstream.