ABSTRACT
Metabolic acidosis is a pathologic disturbance that reduces serum bicarbonate concentration ([HCO3
]) and generates acidemia, defined as an arterial blood pH< 7.35. Metabolic acidosis triggers hyperventilation and this secondary response reduces arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2). Uncomplicated metabolic acidosis thus results in a low [HCO3
], PaCO2, and pH. Metabolic acidosis can also occur in combination with other acid-base disturbances, producing a mixed disturbance in which the values for pH, PaCO2, and [HCO3
] may be low, normal, or even high (see Chapters 22 and 28).
