What vital sign change might be seen in a patient with metabolic acidosis?

In a patient experiencing metabolic acidosis, tachycardia, or an increased heart rate, is a common vital sign change due to the body's compensatory mechanisms. Metabolic acidosis leads to a decrease in blood pH, which can stimulate the cardiovascular system. As the body attempts to restore acid-base balance, the heart often compensates by increasing its rate to maintain adequate tissue perfusion and oxygen delivery. This response can be particularly critical in situations where low pH levels result in decreased cardiac contractility or oxygen utilization at the cellular level.

The other options reflect changes that would typically not be consistent with the body’s response to metabolic acidosis. For example, bradycardia, hypotension, and decreased respiratory rate are generally associated with other medical conditions or responses, rather than as direct compensatory mechanisms for metabolic acidosis. Therefore, the presence of tachycardia stands out as a primary vital sign change in these patients, reflecting both the physiological stress and compensatory efforts of the body.