Final answer:
Starvation is not typically a direct cause of metabolic acidosis, which is a condition characterized by an overly acidic blood pH due to primary bicarbonate deficiency. Diuretics, hypoperfusion, and insulin deficiency are common causes, as they lead to various imbalances resulting in increased acidity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Which of the following is not a cause of metabolic acidosis? The answer to the question is starvation (D). Metabolic acidosis is a condition where the blood becomes too acidic (pH below 7.35) due to primary bicarbonate deficiency. Common causes include the presence of organic acids or excessive ketones in the blood.
Factors such as diuretics can cause metabolic acidosis as they may lead to the loss of bicarbonate ions through increased urine production, disrupting the acid-base balance. Hypoperfusion may contribute to lactic acidosis due to inadequate oxygen delivery to tissues, therefore it is another cause of metabolic acidosis. Insulin deficiency, commonly seen in diabetes mellitus, leads to diabetic ketoacidosis, where insufficient insulin results in the breakdown of fatty acids and the production of ketone bodies, increasing the blood's acidity.
On the other hand, starvation initially leads to ketosis, which in a mild form is not sufficient to cause metabolic acidosis. However, prolonged and severe starvation could lead to metabolic acidosis but is not typically cited as a direct cause like other conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis.