Final answer:
The four main categories of acid-base imbalance are respiratory acidosis, respiratory alkalosis, metabolic acidosis, and metabolic alkalosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The four main categories of acid-base imbalance are respiratory acidosis, respiratory alkalosis, metabolic acidosis, and metabolic alkalosis.
- Respiratory acidosis occurs when there is an excess of carbon dioxide in the blood due to inadequate breathing.
- Respiratory alkalosis occurs when there is a decrease in carbon dioxide in the blood due to hyperventilation.
- Metabolic acidosis is caused by an excess of acids or a loss of bicarbonate in the body.
- Metabolic alkalosis occurs when there is an excess of bicarbonate or a loss of acids in the body.