The metric approach to studying 2-step nilpotent Lie algebras by making use of non-degenerate scalar products is realised. We show that a 2-step nilpotent Lie algebra is isomorphic to its standard pseudo-metric form, that is a 2-step nilpotent Lie algebra endowed with some standard non-degenerate scalar product compatible with the Lie bracket. This choice of the standard pseudo-metric form allows us to study the isomorphism properties. If the elements of the centre of the standard pseudo-metric form constitute a Lie triple system of the pseudo-orthogonal Lie algebra, then the original 2-step nilpotent Lie algebra admits integer structure constants. Among particular applications we prove that pseudo H-type algebras have bases with rational structure constants, which implies that the corresponding pseudo H-type groups admit lattices.