A client has metabolic alkalosis.Which laboratory results is the nurse most likely to assess as consistent with this condition?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Both potassium and hydrogen ions carry or express an overall positive charge (cations).Body fluids maintain electroneutrality by keeping the number of positive ions matched with an equal number of negative ions (anions).A compensation of alkalosis is the movement of hydrogen ions into cells inside the blood and other extracellular fluids.To prevent the blood from expressing too many positive charges,another positive ion must leave the blood and enter the cells.Potassium is the positive ion that usually is exchanged for a hydrogen ion.Thus,a relative hypokalemia usually accompanies alkalosis as extracellular potassium ions move into cells in exchange for intracellular hydrogen ions entering the extracellular fluid.

A Client Has Metabolic Alkalosis