Manitoba Nephrology Nurse Practice Test

What symptom is commonly associated with Metabolic Acidosis?

1. Increased appetite

2. Chronic bone loss

3. Weight gain

4. Improved cardiac function

The correct answer is: Chronic bone loss

Metabolic acidosis is characterized by an increase in the acidity of the body due to an accumulation of acids or a loss of bicarbonate. One of the significant effects of metabolic acidosis is its impact on bone health. When the body's pH level decreases, calcium is often mobilized from the bones to help buffer the excess acid, leading to chronic bone loss over time. This calcium loss can cause osteoporosis and increased fracture risk, making chronic bone loss a common symptom associated with metabolic acidosis. In contrast, increased appetite is typically not a symptom of metabolic acidosis; in fact, patients may experience reduced appetite due to the body's stress response. Weight gain is also not associated, as metabolic acidosis typically leads to weight loss due to decreased muscle mass and fat mobilization. As for cardiac function, metabolic acidosis generally impairs cardiovascular health rather than improving it, as the heart may struggle to function effectively in an acidotic state. Thus, chronic bone loss is a direct consequence of the metabolic changes that occur in metabolic acidosis.