Medical Laboratory Scientist ASCP Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Guide

Elevated pH levels indicate that the blood is more alkaline than normal, which is a hallmark of alkalosis. In the scenario described, both pCO2 and HCO3 levels are decreased. This combination of elevated pH and reduced pCO2 is characteristic of respiratory alkalosis.

Respiratory alkalosis occurs when there is excessive loss of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the bloodstream, often due to hyperventilation. When CO2 levels drop, the carbonic acid concentration decreases, leading to a higher blood pH. The lower levels of bicarbonate (HCO3) may also be a compensatory response as the kidneys may excrete more bicarbonate in an attempt to bring the pH back to normal.

In contrast, metabolic processes would typically present with altered HCO3 levels either elevated or depleted depending on the specific metabolic state, and respiratory acidosis would usually show an increase in pCO2 due to impaired gas exchange or respiratory failure. Similarly, metabolic acidosis is characterized by a decrease in pH with a compensatory decrease in CO2 as the lungs attempt to compensate by hyperventilating.

Therefore, the correct choice reflects the characteristic acid-base disturbance observed in respiratory alkalosis, where the body responds to a