What complications can untreated metabolic acidosis lead to?

[NurseKelseyK]

What complications can untreated metabolic acidosis lead to? Particularly if it is caused from diarrhea/c diff.

I've been trying to find this but nothing has come up.

While I'm at it is the significance of this test to monitor/diagnose a medical problem? Or is it to understand the severity of a condition?

[NCRNMDM, ASN, RN]

Diarrhea leads to metabolic acidosis through excessive loss of bicarbonate ions. Recall that metabolic acidosis is characterized by a pH of less than 7.35, a normal CO2, and a low bicarbonate (less than 22).

Signs and symptoms of metabolic acidosis include: diminished appetite, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness, fatigue, headache, general malaise, decreasing level of consciousness, dysrhythmias, bradycardia, warm, flushed skin, skeletal problems, hyperventilation (Kussmaul's respirations), and dyspnea.

Metabolic acidosis can decreased cardiac output because it decreases myocardial contractility, slows the heart rate, and increases the risk for dysrhythmias. The hyperkalemia that usually accompanies metabolic acidosis increases the risk for decreased cardiac output, dysrhythmias, and even death.

If you administer bicarbonate to someone with metabolic acidosis, which you often have to, the patient can end up with hypernatremia and hyperosmolality which can lead to water retention and excess fluid volume.

There is also an increased risk for injury due to decreased LOC.

ABGs (arterial blood gasses) are done to check for, and monitor, alterations in acid-base balance, such as metabolic acidosis.

This information was taken from Nursing: A Concept Based Approach to Learning by Pearson, and the notes from my lecture on this unit. I hope this helps.

[NurseKelseyK]

Thank you so much. Some of this information I already had but your info has definitely cleared things up!

[NCRNMDM, ASN, RN]

You're welcome, I'm glad I could help you!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

acidosis, whether metabolic or respiratory in origin, is a symptom of whatever caused it. you can't just jump in and treat the symptom. always remember that you have to address the cause, or mucking around could make things worse.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Metabolic acidosis is a clinical disturbance characterized by an increase in plasma acidity. Metabolic acidosis should be considered a sign of an underlying disease process. Identification of this underlying condition is essential to initiate appropriate therapy.

Medscape: Medscape Access Metabolic Acidosis in Emergency Medicine "

Metabolic acidosis can result in a variety of nonspecific changes in several organ systems, including, but not limited to, neurologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal dysfunction. Symptoms are often specific to and a result of the underlying etiology of the metabolic acidosis."

Goggle is your friend......medscape requires registration but it is free and a valuable resource of informaiton.

Medscape: Medscape Access [h=1]Metabolic Acidosis in Emergency Medicine Clinical Presentation[/h]

[guest042302019, BSN, RN]

Google is your friend. "Metabolic Acidosis Complications."