Question

Which nursing action is appropriate when providing care to a patient who is experiencing metabolic alkalosis?

1) Administering sodium bicarbonate
2) Encouraging deep breathing exercises
3) Restricting fluid intake
4) Administering potassium chloride

Answer 1

The correct nursing action for a patient with metabolic alkalosis is to administer potassium chloride. This action helps to correct the potassium deficiency that is often associated with metabolic alkalosis and contribute to stabilizing the blood's pH levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

When caring for a patient experiencing metabolic alkalosis, the appropriate nursing action is administering potassium chloride (option 4). Metabolic alkalosis can occur due to various factors, including the extended use of diuretics that cause the body to lose potassium ions and other substances that can contribute to an elevated bicarbonate level in the blood.

Administering sodium bicarbonate would not be appropriate as it would likely exacerbate the existing alkalosis. Encouraging deep breathing exercises would be more relevant for respiratory alkalosis, as this would help to increase carbon dioxide levels in the blood and reduce pH. Restricting fluid intake does not directly address the imbalance of bicarbonate and carbonic acid/CO₂ that is present in metabolic alkalosis.

Potassium chloride is indicated because the loss of potassium ions can often accompany or lead to metabolic alkalosis. By administering potassium chloride, healthcare professionals aim to correct the potassium deficiency and, in doing so, help balance the pH levels in the blood.