Final answer:
Prolonged severe vomiting can lead to metabolic alkalosis, a condition characterized by high blood pH and high levels of bicarbonate. The body compensates by decreasing carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a person experiences prolonged severe vomiting, it can lead to metabolic alkalosis. This is due to the loss of hydrogen and chloride ions from the stomach. Metabolic alkalosis is an acid-base imbalance characterized by high blood pH and high levels of bicarbonate. The body tries to compensate for this by decreasing the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood.