Question

A patient has been vomiting copiously for 3 days. He is probably in ___ because _____.

a. metabolic acidosis : vomiting often leads to hyperventilation.
b. respiratory alkalosis : vomiting often leads to hyperventilation
c. metabolic alkalosis : vomiting of the normal acidic digestive secretions of the stomach eventually depletes the body's acids.
d. metabolic acidosis : vomiting of the normal acidic digestive secretions of the stomach eventually depletes the body's acids.

Answer 1

The patient is most likely in metabolic alkalosis due to prolonged, severe vomiting. This leads to a loss of hydrogen and chloride ions, resulting in an alkaline state in the blood. Other causes include the use of diuretics and excessive intake of antacids.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient is most likely in metabolic alkalosis because vomiting of the normal acidic digestive secretions of the stomach eventually depletes the body's acids. Prolonged, severe vomiting causes a loss of hydrogen and chloride ions, leading to an alkaline state in the blood. Other causes of metabolic alkalosis include the use of diuretics that cause the body to lose potassium ions and excessive intake of antacids.