A 45-Year-Old Woman Develops Severe Diarrhea While on Vacation $\mathrm{pH}=7.25$ $\mathrm{Pco}_{2}=24 \mathrm{~mm} \mathrm{Hg}$

A 45-year-old woman develops severe diarrhea while on vacation. She has the following arterial blood values:
$\mathrm{pH}=7.25$
$\mathrm{Pco}_{2}=24 \mathrm{~mm} \mathrm{Hg}$
$\left[\mathrm{HCO}_{3}^{-}\right]=10 \mathrm{mEq} / \mathrm{L}$
Venous blood samples show decreased blood $\left[\mathrm{K}^{+}\right]$ and a normal anion gap.
-The correct diagnosis for this patient is

A) metabolic acidosis
B) metabolic alkalosis
C) respiratory acidosis
D) respiratory alkalosis
E) normal acid-base status