A nurse assesses a client with diarrhea. What acid-base disorder should be a concern for this client?

A nurse assesses a client with diarrhea. What acid-base disorder should be a concern for this client?

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

Answer: (C)

In cases of diarrhea, the primary concern regarding acid-base balance is often metabolic acidosis. This occurs because diarrhea leads to the loss of bicarbonate through the intestinal fluid. Bicarbonate is a crucial component for regulating the body's pH levels. When there is a significant loss of bicarbonate, the blood pH can decrease, resulting in metabolic acidosis. Additionally, diarrhea can also lead to dehydration, which may compound the situation, resulting in more concentrated acids in the body and further shifting the acid-base balance towards acidosis. Monitoring the patient's electrolyte levels, particularly bicarbonate, becomes essential in these situations to assess for potential metabolic acidosis, making it the appropriate focus in this scenario.

In cases of diarrhea, the primary concern regarding acid-base balance is often metabolic acidosis. This occurs because diarrhea leads to the loss of bicarbonate through the intestinal fluid. Bicarbonate is a crucial component for regulating the body's pH levels. When there is a significant loss of bicarbonate, the blood pH can decrease, resulting in metabolic acidosis.

Additionally, diarrhea can also lead to dehydration, which may compound the situation, resulting in more concentrated acids in the body and further shifting the acid-base balance towards acidosis. Monitoring the patient's electrolyte levels, particularly bicarbonate, becomes essential in these situations to assess for potential metabolic acidosis, making it the appropriate focus in this scenario.