Final answer:
A child with persistent vomiting should be monitored for metabolic alkalosis, as this condition results from the loss of stomach acids and leads to an increased blood pH level. Monitoring is crucial to manage dehydration and other related symptoms efficiently.
Step-by-step explanation:
Metabolic Alkalosis in Pediatric Patients
A child hospitalized due to persistent vomiting should be closely monitored for metabolic alkalosis, which often results from prolonged and severe vomiting. This condition occurs when there is a loss of hydrogen and chloride ions, components of hydrochloric acid (HCl), from the body. This excessive loss of acidic substances can lead to the blood becoming too alkaline (pH above 7.45), known as primary bicarbonate excess. In the given clinical scenario, metabolic alkalosis is favored over other conditions such as diarrhea, metabolic acidosis, or hyperactive bowel sounds, because prolonged vomiting is typically associated with the loss of stomach acids leading to an elevated blood pH.
It is important for nurses and healthcare providers to monitor the patient for signs of dehydration, changes in blood pressure and heart rate, and other physiological alterations. In cases of metabolic alkalosis, conservation of bicarbonate ions may occur, and handling of the condition may involve fluid replacement and addressing the underlying causes of the persistent vomiting.