The client has metabolic alkalosis as a result of excessive ingestion of a base-containing antacid and drinking more than 2 L of milk daily as a home remedy for "heartburn
" Which electrolyte imbalance should the nurse expect to accompany this condition? A. Hyponatremia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypokalemia
D. Hyperkalemia
C
Both potassium and hydrogen ions carry or express an overall positive charge (are 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 inside cells into 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. Potas-sium is the positive ion that is usually 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.
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