Question

Which of the following is NOT a compensation that would occur in response to a metabolic acidosis?

1) increased excretion of hydrogen ions
2) increased ventilation
3) decreased tidal volume
4) increased bicarbonate production
5) increased conversion of glutamine to bicarbonate

Answer 1

Decreased tidal volume is not a compensation for metabolic acidosis; instead, the body increases ventilation and bicarbonate production, along with glutamine conversion to bicarbonate, and enhances excretion of hydrogen ions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The compensation that would NOT occur in response to metabolic acidosis is decreased tidal volume. In metabolic acidosis, the body responds by increasing excretion of hydrogen ions to lower acidity, increasing ventilation to expel more carbon dioxide, increasing bicarbonate production to buffer the acid, and increasing conversion of glutamine to bicarbonate to provide an additional source of base to counteract the acidosis. Decreased tidal volume would reduce the elimination of carbon dioxide, which is counterproductive during acidosis when the body needs to expel more carbon dioxide to compensate for the high acid levels.