A client who has received sodium bicarbonate in large amounts is at risk for which condition?

A client who has received sodium bicarbonate in large amounts is at risk for which condition?

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

Answer: (C)

When a client receives large amounts of sodium bicarbonate, they are at risk for metabolic alkalosis. Sodium bicarbonate is a source of bicarbonate ions, which can increase the blood's pH level. Ingesting or infusing excess amounts of bicarbonate raises the concentration of bicarbonate in the blood, leading to a higher pH, characteristic of metabolic alkalosis. Metabolic alkalosis can occur due to various factors, including excessive bicarbonate intake, loss of acid (such as vomiting), or other disruptions in acid-base balance. The key mechanism here is the elevation of bicarbonate in the blood, which overwhelms the body's ability to maintain a normal pH balance, resulting in alkalosis. Considering the other conditions listed, respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis relate more to alterations in carbon dioxide levels due to respiratory problems, and metabolic acidosis is typically associated with conditions that generate excess acid or reduce bicarbonate levels in the body, which is contrary to the increase seen with sodium bicarbonate administration. Thus, metabolic alkalosis is the condition that aligns with the consequences of large amounts of sodium bicarbonate administration.

When a client receives large amounts of sodium bicarbonate, they are at risk for metabolic alkalosis. Sodium bicarbonate is a source of bicarbonate ions, which can increase the blood's pH level. Ingesting or infusing excess amounts of bicarbonate raises the concentration of bicarbonate in the blood, leading to a higher pH, characteristic of metabolic alkalosis.

Metabolic alkalosis can occur due to various factors, including excessive bicarbonate intake, loss of acid (such as vomiting), or other disruptions in acid-base balance. The key mechanism here is the elevation of bicarbonate in the blood, which overwhelms the body's ability to maintain a normal pH balance, resulting in alkalosis.

Considering the other conditions listed, respiratory acidosis and respiratory alkalosis relate more to alterations in carbon dioxide levels due to respiratory problems, and metabolic acidosis is typically associated with conditions that generate excess acid or reduce bicarbonate levels in the body, which is contrary to the increase seen with sodium bicarbonate administration. Thus, metabolic alkalosis is the condition that aligns with the consequences of large amounts of sodium bicarbonate administration.