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Difficulty: EasyPhysiological Adaptation

A client is receiving care in the urgent care clinic after experiencing severe, watery diarrhea for the past three days. Based on the significant loss of lower gastrointestinal fluids, which acid-base imbalance should the nurse anticipate?

  1. Metabolic acidosisAnswer
  2. B
    Metabolic alkalosis
  3. C
    Respiratory acidosis
  4. D
    Respiratory alkalosis

Answer

Metabolic acidosis
The correct answer accurately reflects that severe diarrhea removes large quantities of bicarbonate from the body. Because bicarbonate is a primary base, its excessive loss causes the blood to become more acidic, resulting in metabolic acidosis.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary source of fluid loss described in the client's presentation.
The client has severe, watery diarrhea, which is a loss of lower gastrointestinal fluid.
Different body fluids contain different concentrations of electrolytes and acid-base buffers.
2
Determine the primary buffer lost in lower gastrointestinal fluids.
Intestinal fluids are rich in bicarbonate, which functions as a base in the body.
Understanding the composition of the lost fluid helps determine the resulting systemic imbalance.
3
Conclude the systemic effect of losing a large amount of base.
The excessive loss of bicarbonate leads to a relative excess of acid in the blood, resulting in metabolic acidosis.
The acid-base balance shifts toward acidity when a significant amount of base is depleted.

Key Concept

Lower gastrointestinal fluids are rich in bicarbonate. Excessive loss of these fluids through severe diarrhea leads to base depletion and subsequent metabolic acidosis.
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Topics

Physiological Adaptation

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