Fetal Health Surveillance Practice Exam

A high base deficit in mixed acidosis is primarily indicative of an excess of metabolic acid in the body. This occurs when there is an accumulation of acids, which lowers the base content and results in a negative base excess (deficit). The presence of excess metabolic acid effectively overwhelms the buffering capacity of the bicarbonate system, leading to metabolic acidosis. In mixed acidosis, the combination of metabolic and respiratory acidosis may occur, but the key factor indicating a high base deficit is the surplus of metabolic acids that contributes to the disturbance.

The other choices do not contribute to understanding a high base deficit in mixed acidosis. For instance, increased oxygen levels would not directly relate to metabolic acidosis, nor would a normal fetal heart rate indicate an acid-base imbalance. Additionally, decreased CO2 production would generally suggest a respiratory alkalosis rather than a high base deficit related to mixed acidosis. Therefore, the identification of excess metabolic acid is crucial in diagnosing and managing conditions associated with a high base deficit.