Certified Dialysis Nurse Practice Test

Confusion is a significant cognitive sign of metabolic acidosis in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In this condition, the kidneys are unable to effectively eliminate acids from the body, leading to an accumulation of hydrogen ions, which lowers blood pH and can cause systemic symptoms. As the acid-base balance is disrupted, the central nervous system can become affected, resulting in confusion among other neurological changes. This altered mental status is a marker of the body’s struggle to cope with the metabolic derangement and can indicate the severity of the acidosis.

In this context, evaluating cognitive functions such as awareness, orientation, and the ability to think clearly can provide insight into the patient’s overall metabolic state. Therefore, recognizing confusion as a key symptom allows healthcare professionals to assess the seriousness of the acid-base imbalance and potentially guide urgent medical interventions to correct the metabolic acidosis.