Moderate

A patient with prolonged vomiting from an intestinal obstruction has weakness and shallow respirations. Which acid-base finding is most likely?

Correct answer: A. Metabolic alkalosis

  • A. Metabolic alkalosis
  • B. Metabolic acidosis
  • C. Respiratory alkalosis
  • D. Respiratory acidosis

Explanation

Loss of gastric hydrochloric acid through prolonged vomiting commonly causes metabolic alkalosis. Diarrhoea more often causes metabolic acidosis, while the respiratory options do not explain the primary gastrointestinal loss.

Submitted by a TestUstad contributor and published by the TestUstad editorial teamLast updated
Report an error

The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.

Prefer email? support@testustad.com

About Gastrointestinal and Liver Nursing

Covers nursing care for peptic ulcer disease, gastroenteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, intestinal obstruction, hepatitis, cirrhosis and portal hypertension. It includes nutrition, fluid and electrolyte management, abdominal assessment, gastrointestinal bleeding, ascites and hepatic encephalopathy, which must be distinguished from other causes of altered consciousness.

Practise Gastrointestinal and Liver Nursing

50 free Gastrointestinal and Liver Nursing MCQs from Medical Surgical Nursing, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

Discussion

Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.

No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.

Exams that ask Medical Surgical Nursing questions like this

Medical Surgical Nursing is on 8 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.

More Gastrointestinal and Liver Nursing questions