Recall that nonrespiratory/metabolic acidosis results from either a loss of bicarbonate or an increase in organic acids (e.g., ketoacids or lactic acid).
The following disease states can cause metabolic acidosis:
- diarrhea (prolonged; excessive bicarbonate loss)
- renal tubular acidosis (blood remains acidic due to failure to excrete acids)
- diabetic ketoacidosis (production of ketoacids)
- lactic acidosis (cell death/infections)
