In profound (late) hypovolemic shock, ABG results would show which change?

In profound (late) hypovolemic shock, ABG results would show which change?

• A. Hypokalemia
• B. Respiratory alkalosis
• C. Decreased carbon dioxide level
• D. Metabolic acidosis

Answer: (D)

When perfusion drops markedly in late hypovolemic shock, tissues receive less oxygen and must rely on anaerobic metabolism, which produces lactic acid. This buildup drives a metabolic acidosis. On arterial blood gas, you’d expect a low pH and a low bicarbonate level, reflecting metabolic acidosis; the body may compensate by hyperventilating, which lowers the PaCO2, but the primary issue is the metabolic acidosis itself. Therefore, metabolic acidosis is the best description of the ABG change. Options suggesting hypokalemia, respiratory alkalosis, or a primary decrease in CO2 don’t capture the main derangement caused by profound hypoperfusion.

When perfusion drops markedly in late hypovolemic shock, tissues receive less oxygen and must rely on anaerobic metabolism, which produces lactic acid. This buildup drives a metabolic acidosis. On arterial blood gas, you’d expect a low pH and a low bicarbonate level, reflecting metabolic acidosis; the body may compensate by hyperventilating, which lowers the PaCO2, but the primary issue is the metabolic acidosis itself. Therefore, metabolic acidosis is the best description of the ABG change. Options suggesting hypokalemia, respiratory alkalosis, or a primary decrease in CO2 don’t capture the main derangement caused by profound hypoperfusion.