Which pH level change is generally caused by acidosis?

• A. Increase in blood pH
• B. Decrease in blood pH
• C. No change in blood pH
• D. Unpredictable change in blood pH

Answer: (B)

Acidosis is characterized by an increase in hydrogen ion concentration (H+) in the blood, which leads to a decrease in blood pH. The normal pH range for human blood is approximately 7.35 to 7.45, and when the pH falls below 7.35, it indicates an acidic condition known as acidosis. This occurs due to factors such as increased carbon dioxide retention in respiratory acidosis or the accumulation of metabolic acids in metabolic acidosis.

By understanding the biochemical mechanisms behind acidosis, it becomes clear why the pH level would decrease. The body attempts to compensate for this decrease through various physiological responses, such as increasing respiratory rate to expel carbon dioxide or enhancing renal excretion of hydrogen ions. Therefore, a key defining characteristic of any acidosis condition is the corresponding decrease in blood pH, making this the correct response to the question posed.