Combined Resp. Metab Acidosis

Question 1

Respiratory acidosis and metabolic acidosis are typically linked because

Answer 1

Oxygen starved tissues generate large quantities of lactic acid
and
because sustained hypoventilation leads to decreased arterial P02

Question 2

The problem can be especially serious in cases of near drowning

Answer 2

Body fluids have high PCO2
low PO2
and large amounts of lactate generated by the muscles of the struggling person