Balancing Act: Enhancing Student Comprehension of Acid-Base Physiology Through Interactive, System-Based Teaching

Abstract

Acid-base physiology is widely recognized as one of the most conceptually challenging topics in undergraduate education due to its interdisciplinary nature and the necessity for both mechanistic and integrative understanding. This manuscript presents a structured, system-based teaching framework designed to enhance student comprehension of acid-base balance by promoting active learning and conceptual integration across organ systems. The instructional model is organized around four core modules: mastering terminology, identifying acid sources, exploring regulatory mechanisms, and understanding acid-base disorders. Notably, the approach introduces a specific sequence for concept delivery, supported by interactive in-class activities such as multiple-choice questions, open-ended prompts, pattern recognition tasks, physiological reflex analysis, and the construction of concept maps. This format encourages students to link molecular mechanisms with systemic outcomes and fosters the application of knowledge to clinical and everyday life scenarios.