Question

a nurse is observing a client who has acute alcohol intoxication. the nurse should identify that the client is at risk for which of the following acid - base imbalances?
respiratory acidosis
respiratory alkalosis
metabolic acidosis
metabolic alkalosis

Explanation:

Alcohol intoxication can lead to increased lactic acid production (from impaired liver function affecting lactate metabolism) and ketoacid formation (if there is concurrent starvation or poor nutrition, common in chronic alcoholics). These processes increase acid levels in the body, causing metabolic acidosis.
Respiratory acidosis is due to hypoventilation (not the main issue here), respiratory alkalosis from hyperventilation (unrelated to typical acute alcohol intoxication effects), and metabolic alkalosis from loss of acid (e.g., vomiting - but not the primary mechanism in acute alcohol intoxication compared to acid production).

Answer:

Metabolic acidosis