Metabolic Alkalosis

• What is the primary cause of metabolic alkalosis?

  Loss of acid (H⁺) or increase in bicarbonate (HCO₃⁻)
• What is the most common cause of metabolic alkalosis?

  Vomiting (loss of stomach acid, HCl)
• How does vomiting lead to metabolic alkalosis?

  It causes loss of gastric acid (HCl), increasing pH
• What role do diuretics play in metabolic alkalosis?

  They cause loss of H⁺ and K⁺, increasing pH
• What is hypokalemia?

  Potassium deficit (low K⁺)
• How does excessive sodium bicarbonate intake affect pH?

  It increases HCO₃⁻ in blood, raising pH
• What is the relationship between H⁺ and HCO₃⁻ in metabolic alkalosis?

  ↓ H⁺ + ↑ HCO₃⁻ = ↑ pH (Alkalosis)
• What compensatory response occurs in the lungs during metabolic alkalosis?

  Lungs retain CO₂ by hypoventilation
• How does CO₂ retention affect pH during metabolic alkalosis?

  It increases carbonic acid (H₂CO₃), lowering pH
• What is the key equation related to bicarbonate and pH?

  HCO₃⁻ + H⁺ ↔ H₂CO₃ ↔ CO₂ + H₂O
• What happens to the key equation when HCO₃⁻ increases?

  It shifts left, increasing pH
• What are common causes of metabolic alkalosis?

  Vomiting, diuretic use, hypokalemia, excessive bicarbonate intake
• How does hypokalemia worsen alkalosis?

  H⁺ moves into cells, worsening alkalosis
• What is a treatment for metabolic alkalosis?

  Correct underlying cause and potassium deficit
• What is the role of acidifying agents in treating severe metabolic alkalosis?

  They help to lower pH, correcting alkalosis
• When are fluids indicated in metabolic alkalosis treatment?

  If due to volume depletion, like saline infusion
• What are the key lab findings in metabolic alkalosis?

  • ↑ pH (Alkalosis)
  • ↑ HCO₃⁻ (>26 mEq/L)
  • ↑ PaCO₂ (if compensated by CO₂ retention)
  • Hypokalemia (common in alkalosis)