Question

A client has had diarrhea for the past three days. Which acid/base imbalance would the nurse expect the client to have?

Respiratory alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis
Metabolic alkalosis
Respiratory acidosis

Answer 1

A client with prolonged diarrhea is likely to experience metabolic acidosis due to the excessive loss of bicarbonate ions which act as a pH buffer.

Step-by-step explanation:

A client with diarrhea for the past three days is most likely to experience a condition called metabolic acidosis. This condition occurs when there is an excessive loss of bicarbonate ions through the gastrointestinal tract, as is common with prolonged diarrhea. Due to the loss of bicarbonate, which helps maintain the pH balance by acting as a buffer, the blood becomes more acidic. In metabolic acidosis, the pH of the blood is below 7.35, and bicarbonate levels are decreased. Therefore, among the options given, the best match for this acid-base imbalance is metabolic acidosis. This imbalance is not related to the respiratory system, and so it would not be classified as respiratory acidosis or alkalosis. Additionally, metabolic alkalosis would generally be caused by the opposite problem, such as excessive vomiting, which leads to a loss of hydrogen and chloride ions.