Impairment of cellular metabolism leading to anaerobic metabolism and metabolic acidosis is best described as which condition?

• A. Shock
• B. Hypertension
• C. Diabetes mellitus
• D. Stroke

Answer: (A)

When tissues aren’t getting enough oxygen due to inadequate perfusion, cells switch from aerobic to anaerobic metabolism. This shift produces lactate and hydrogen ions, leading to metabolic acidosis. That global lack of perfusion and resulting shift in cellular metabolism is the hallmark of shock, a state where inadequate blood flow threatens tissue oxygen delivery and can cause widespread metabolic disturbances.

Hypertension doesn’t primarily involve a failure of tissue oxygen delivery. Diabetes mellitus can cause metabolic acidosis in specific contexts like diabetic ketoacidosis, but that isn’t described here as a consequence of impaired cellular metabolism from poor perfusion. Stroke is a focal brain ischemia rather than a systemic failure of perfusion leading to widespread anaerobic metabolism.