hyperchloremic acidosis hyperchloremic acidosis hyperchloremic acidosis is a form of metabolic acidosis associated with a normal anion gap, a decrease in plasma bicarbonate concentration, and an increase in plasma chloride concentration (see anion gap for a fuller explanation). although plasma anion gap is normal, this condition is often associated with an increased urine anion gap, due to the kidney's inability to secrete ammonia. hyperchloremic acidosisspecialtyendocrinology, nephrology causes in general, the cause of a hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis is a loss of base, either a gastrointestinal loss or a renal loss. gastrointestinal loss of bicarbonate (hco−3) severe diarrhea (vomiting will tend to cause hypochloraemic alkalosis) pancreatic fistula with loss of bicarbonate rich pancreatic fluid nasojejunal tube losses in the context of small bowel obstruction and loss of alkaline proximal small bowel secretions chronic laxative abuse renal causes proximal renal tubular acidosis with failure of hco−3 resorption distal renal tubular acidosis with failure of h+ secretion long-term use of a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor such as acetazolamide other causes ingestion of ammonium chloride, hydrochloric acid, or other acidifying salts the treatment and recovery phases of diabetic ketoacidosis volume resuscitation with 0.9% normal saline provides a chloride load, so that infusing more than 3-4l can cause acidosis hyperalimentation (i.e., total parenteral nutrition)