During hypoxia, which acid-base balance change is especially noted as a sequela?

During hypoxia, which acid-base balance change is especially noted as a sequela?

• A. Altered acid/base balance, especially acidosis.
• B. Elevated alkaline base
• C. No acid-base change
• D. Alkalosis predominates

Answer: (A)

When tissues are hypoxic, they can’t use oxygen for normal aerobic respiration, so they switch to anaerobic glycolysis. This pathway produces lactate and hydrogen ions, which accumulate in the blood and lower pH, leading to metabolic acidosis. Often this is an anion-gap metabolic acidosis driven by lactate buildup, with the body attempting to compensate by increasing ventilation to blow off CO2. If hypoxia persists, renal compensation can develop later, but the primary sequela in this context is acidosis rather than alkalosis or no change.

When tissues are hypoxic, they can’t use oxygen for normal aerobic respiration, so they switch to anaerobic glycolysis. This pathway produces lactate and hydrogen ions, which accumulate in the blood and lower pH, leading to metabolic acidosis. Often this is an anion-gap metabolic acidosis driven by lactate buildup, with the body attempting to compensate by increasing ventilation to blow off CO2. If hypoxia persists, renal compensation can develop later, but the primary sequela in this context is acidosis rather than alkalosis or no change.