A client with metabolic alkalosis is experiencing numbness around the mouth and tingling of the fingers. What should the nurse explain as the reason for these manifestations?
A) "Because you are breathing so fast, the oxygen is not getting to your nerve endings."
B) "Your health problem affects calcium in your body, which causes the tingling around your mouth and fingers."
C) "You have a build-up of carbon dioxide in your blood."
D) "You don't have enough potassium in your body, so the tingling around your mouth and fingers will occur."
Answer: B
Alkalosis increases binding of extracellular calcium to albumin, reducing ionized calcium levels. As a result, neuromuscular excitability increases, and manifestations similar to hypocalcemia develop. These manifestations include circumoral and distal extremity paresthesias. Rapid breathing is not reducing the amount of oxygen reaching the nerve endings. Excessive carbon dioxide would lead to acidosis. Respiratory alkalosis is not caused by an imbalance of serum potassium.
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