The terms acidosis and alkalosis refer to the processes that alter the acid-base status. Processes that alter the acid-base status of a patient can be divided into metabolic or respiratory processes. Metabolic processes are those that primarily alter the bicarbonate concentration in the blood.
Respiratory processes alter the pH of the serum by changing the carbon dioxide levels.
Again, one or more of these processes may be present in a patient with an abnormal acid-base status. All rights reserved.