For patients with acidosis, what symptom should be expected?

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In the context of acidosis, the expectation of "everything is down" makes sense because acidosis typically reflects an abnormal decrease in blood pH, leading to respiratory and metabolic responses that can affect various physiological systems. In acidosis, there is often a decrease in energy level, potential muscle weakness, and overall lethargy.

The respiratory system might try to compensate by increasing the respiratory rate to blow off carbon dioxide (if it's respiratory acidosis), but when considering broader symptoms, there tends to be a lack of energy and reduced efficiency in physiological functions. This is particularly true in metabolic acidosis where patients may present with fatigue and decreased muscle tone.

Additionally, other vital signs and parameters such as blood pressure may not necessarily rise; in fact, they can often drop in severe cases as the body struggles to regulate itself. The central theme in acidosis is that the body's systems are generally slowed or impaired rather than heightened or overactive, reinforcing the rationale behind expecting "everything is down" as a symptom.

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