ACIDOSIS - A metabolic derangement of acid-base balance where the blood pH is abnormally low. Causes include hemorrhagic shock, cardiogenic shock, severe dehydration, sepsis, toxic ingestion (e.g. isopropyl alcohol, methanol), alcoholic ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis, renal failure, and diabetic ketoacidosis. Respiratory acidosis will occur if the lungs are not ventilating properly.