ABSTRACT
Metabolic acidosis is characterized by low pH (<7.35) and low HCO3 (<22 mequiv
l-1). Metabolic acidosis develops by the addition of acid, loss of a base, or the failure of the kidneys to excrete sufficient net acid to replenish the HCO3 used to buffer acids. Metabolic acidosis can be either anion gap or non-anion gap. Causes of metabolic acidosis are listed in Table 4.2.
