Final answer:
Rhabdomyolysis can indeed lead to metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, and DIC, which are all serious complications of the syndrome due to the release of muscle cell components into the bloodstream.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that rhabdomyolysis can lead to metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, and DIC is true. Rhabdomyolysis is a serious syndrome resulting from the breakdown of muscle tissue. The release of muscle cell contents, including myoglobin, into the bloodstream can result in severe complications such as acute kidney injury. This renal damage can lead to metabolic acidosis due to the accumulation of sulfates, phosphates, uric acid etc., which affect the body's acid-base balance by decreasing the pH of the blood.
Similarly, this condition can cause hyperkalemia due to the release of intracellular potassium into the bloodstream, resulting in an elevated potassium level that can impair muscle and nerve function, and is particularly dangerous for the heart. Additionally, rhabdomyolysis can lead to hypocalcemia as calcium can be sequestered in areas of muscle damage. Finally, the release of substances from damaged muscles can activate the clotting system, leading to Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), a serious disorder where blood clots form throughout the body's small vessels.