The nurse admits an infant with vomiting and the diagnosis of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.Which metabolic alteration should the nurse plan to assess for with this infant?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Frequent projectile vomiting, characteristic of pyloric stenosis, results in a loss of nonvolatile acids that decreases hydrogen ion concentration. This results in an excess of bicarbonate that increases arterial pH above 7.45 (metabolic alkalosis). Metabolic acidosis, respiratory acidosis, and respiratory alkalosis do not result from vomiting.

The Nurse Admits an Infant with Vomiting and the Diagnosis