During interdisciplinary rounds, the healthcare team evaluates a client with a mechanical small bowel obstruction who has been receiving continuous nasogastric decompression for the past 48 hours. The client reports new-onset perioral numbness and tingling in the fingers. Simultaneously, the telemetry monitor displays frequent premature ventricular contractions. Based on these findings, which physiological interpretation correctly identifies the underlying derangement and its consequences?
- Loss of gastric acid has caused metabolic alkalosis, leading to a decrease in ionized calcium and an intracellular shift of potassium.Cevap
- BRemoval of lower intestinal secretions has induced metabolic acidosis, resulting in hyperkalemia and generalized central nervous system depression.
- CThird-spacing of fluids has initiated early hypovolemic shock, causing peripheral vasoconstriction that manifests as numbness and cardiac irritability.
- DDiaphragmatic splinting has led to acute respiratory acidosis, making the establishment of a patent airway the most critical immediate priority.
Cevap
The client is experiencing metabolic alkalosis due to gastric acid loss, which subsequently causes hypocalcemia (leading to numbness and tingling) and hypokalemia (leading to premature ventricular contractions).
Continuous nasogastric suctioning aggressively removes hydrochloric acid, precipitating metabolic alkalosis. In an alkalotic state, two critical physiological adaptations occur. First, hydrogen ions shift into the extracellular fluid to compensate, forcing potassium into the intracellular space and causing severe hypokalemia, which triggers the premature ventricular contractions. Second, the alkalosis increases the binding affinity of calcium to serum proteins, significantly reducing ionized calcium levels. This resulting hypocalcemia causes profound neuromuscular excitability, classically presenting as perioral numbness and tingling (paresthesia).
Adım Adım Çözüm
Anahtar Kavram
The physiological consequences of metabolic alkalosis, specifically the resultant shifts in calcium and potassium that produce distinct neuromuscular and cardiac manifestations.