"Metabolic Acidosis"

Shock is characterized by poor tissue perfusion. With this comes a buildup of lactic acid in the blood, leading to acidemia. The body's natural mechanism for compensation in acidemia is to hyperventilate, removing more carbon dioxide from the blood. If the individual's breathing efforts are limited in some way, compensation cannot occur and metabolic acidosis results. Symptoms would include a burning feeling in the muscles, cramps, nausea, weakness, and exhaustion.