What happens to pH during metabolic alkalosis?

What happens to pH during metabolic alkalosis?

• A. pH decreases (lower pH).
• B. pH remains the same.
• C. pH decreases (low pH) due to bicarbonate.
• D. pH increases (high pH) due to excess HCO3.

Answer: (D)

Metabolic alkalosis raises the pH of the blood because there is an excess of bicarbonate, a base, or a loss of hydrogen ions. pH reflects hydrogen ion concentration; when H+ is reduced and bicarbonate is high, the blood becomes more alkaline. Excess bicarbonate (HCO3-) shifts the balance toward fewer free hydrogen ions, increasing pH. The body can attempt respiratory compensation by slowing breathing to raise CO2 and partially counteract the alkalosis, but the primary effect remains an elevated pH due to the excess base.

Metabolic alkalosis raises the pH of the blood because there is an excess of bicarbonate, a base, or a loss of hydrogen ions. pH reflects hydrogen ion concentration; when H+ is reduced and bicarbonate is high, the blood becomes more alkaline. Excess bicarbonate (HCO3-) shifts the balance toward fewer free hydrogen ions, increasing pH. The body can attempt respiratory compensation by slowing breathing to raise CO2 and partially counteract the alkalosis, but the primary effect remains an elevated pH due to the excess base.