Final answer:
Metabolic acidosis is a common complication of ketone body production in diabetics, leading to dangerous blood pH changes. This occurs when tissues in the body cannot get adequate amounts of glucose and rely on the breakdown of fatty acids for energy, resulting in the formation of ketone bodies that increase blood acidity.
Step-by-step explanation:
A common complication of ketone body production in diabetics is the resultant occurrence of a metabolic acidosis leading to dangerous blood pH changes. When certain tissues in the body cannot get enough glucose, they rely on the breakdown of fatty acids for energy. This leads to the formation of ketone bodies, which increase the acidity of the blood. The presence of excessive ketone bodies overwhelms the blood buffers, causing a marked decrease in blood pH, resulting in metabolic acidosis.