Final answer:
Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) can indeed be classified as a Brønsted-Lowry base because it produces hydroxide ions in solution, which can accept protons.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the Brønsted-Lowry theory, a base is any substance that can accept a proton (H+). Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is considered a Brønsted-Lowry base because, when it dissolves in water, it ionizes to produce hydroxide ions (OH-) which can accept a proton, thus acting as a proton acceptor. This behavior aligns with the character of bases as defined by Brønsted and Lowry.
Therefore, it is incorrect to say that sodium hydroxide cannot be classified as a Brønsted-Lowry base. The question may stem from a misunderstanding of the theory, which categorizes bases more broadly than just hydroxide-containing compounds, but in the case of sodium hydroxide, it both contains and produces hydroxide ions in solution.