Final answer:
Hypovolemic shock can result in metabolic acidosis, an acid-base imbalance with a blood pH below 7.35 due to a primary bicarbonate deficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hypovolemic shock can lead to a specific acid-base imbalance called metabolic acidosis. This condition arises when there is a significant loss of body fluids, often caused by hemorrhage, severe vomiting, diarrhea, or conditions like diabetes insipidus or ketoacidosis. Because the circulatory system fails to maintain adequate blood flow and oxygen supply, organs begin to function improperly, leading to an accumulation of acids in the body. Metabolic acidosis is characterized by lower-than-normal bicarbonate levels in the blood, with a pH below 7.35, indicating increased acidity. In response, the body attempts to compensate by lowering the carbon dioxide levels through faster and deeper breathing, in an effort to restore the proper balance between bicarbonate and carbonic acid/CO2.