Advanced Fetal Monitoring Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Test Prep Guide

The accumulation of lactic acid from anaerobic metabolism leads to a state known as metabolic acidosis. This condition occurs when lactic acid builds up in the body due to insufficient oxygen supply, which often happens during strenuous exercise or in cases of tissue hypoxia. As lactic acid levels increase, it causes a decrease in blood pH, resulting in acidosis.

Lactic acid is a byproduct of glycolysis when oxygen is limited, and the body shifts to anaerobic metabolic pathways for energy production. This process generates energy without the use of oxygen but creates lactic acid as a waste product. In response to the increased acidity, the body may attempt to compensate through physiological mechanisms, such as increasing respiratory rate to expel carbon dioxide, but if the lactic acid continues to accumulate, metabolic acidosis persists.

In contrast, conditions like metabolic alkalosis, cardiogenic shock, and respiratory alkalosis are associated with different physiological processes and outcomes. Metabolic alkalosis results from an excess of bicarbonate or loss of acid, while respiratory alkalosis involves decreased carbon dioxide levels due to hyperventilation. Cardiogenic shock is primarily a circulatory failure resulting from heart problems, rather than directly related to lactic acid accumulation. Therefore, the correct association