Video - Acid-base disturbances: Pathology review

Acid-base disturbances are a type of electrolyte imbalance that occurs when the body's pH balance is disturbed. The blood pH is maintained in a narrow delicate range of 7.35 to 7.45, which is optimal for many biological processes taking place in our body. Below that range, the blood is too acidic, and above it, it's too alkalic, which is not ideal.

The acid-base disturbances are divided into two major groups due to their causes and the clinical picture of the patient. First, there are metabolic disturbances that can either be metabolic acidosis or alkalosis, which are reflected by disturbances in the serum HCO3 ��. The second group consists of respiratory disturbances, which can be either respiratory acidosis or alkalosis, depending on the blood's Pco2. There are a variety of causes for acid-base disturbances, including dehydration, hypoventilation, kidney failure, and diabetic ketoacidosis.