Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes Assessment (PCOA) Practice Exam

Metabolic acidosis secondary to diabetic ketoacidosis occurs as a result of an imbalance in the body's production of acids and bases. In particular, diabetic ketoacidosis is caused by excessive production of ketone bodies, specifically acetoacetate and b-hydroxybutyrate, which are byproducts of fat metabolism. Therefore, options A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not involve ketone body production. Lactic acid is typically produced in the presence of severe tissue hypoperfusion or hypoxia, acetic acid is produced in a condition known as acute alcohol ingestion, and carbon dioxide is typically produced during respiration. Therefore, these options are not directly related to the underlying cause of metabolic acidosis in diabetic ketoacidosis.