What are common causes of metabolic acidosis in ICU patients?

Metabolic acidosis is characterized by an increase in hydrogen ions or a decrease in bicarbonate in the blood, resulting in a lower pH. In the context of ICU patients, common causes include lactic acidosis and renal failure.

Lactic acidosis occurs when there is an increase in lactic acid, often due to conditions that lead to impaired oxygen delivery or utilization, such as sepsis, shock, or extensive tissue hypoxia. Renal failure is another critical contributor to metabolic acidosis, as the kidneys are primarily responsible for excreting hydrogen ions and regenerating bicarbonate. When renal function is compromised, the body's ability to maintain acid-base balance is severely affected, leading to the accumulation of acid and the development of metabolic acidosis.

The other options, while they may relate to different physiological issues that can affect critically ill patients, do not directly correlate with the pathophysiology of metabolic acidosis in the same way. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance can influence overall health and metabolic status but are not primary causes of metabolic acidosis. Sepsis and hyperthermia could potentially lead to lactic acidosis but do not encompass the broader scope of metabolic acidosis causes as effectively. Finally, cardiogenic shock and pulmonary embolism relate