Nonrespiratory, or metabolic, alkalosis results from either a gain of bicarbonate or a loss of acidic fluids. Both cause an increase in the blood pH.
Initially, nonrespiratory alkalosis can be recognized by examining the blood pH to determine alkalosis and then comparing the pCO2 and HCO3- levels. If the pH is greater than 7.45 and the HCO3- is increased with a normal pCO2, the body is in nonrespiratory alkalosis.
The body will compensate for the nonrespiratory alkalosis via the respiratory system. Hypoventilation will increase the pCO2 and this results in a decrease in the pH.
