A nurse on a medical unit is assigned patients with acid-base irregularities. While caring for a patient with gastric lavage or prolonged vomiting, the nurse should assess for:

Explanation

•Gastric lavage and persistent vomiting cause removal of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which may lead to metabolic alkalosis.

•The loss of hydrogen ions result in a rise in pH (alkalemia).


•Incorrect: Osmotic pressure is disturbed when protein is lost from the body.

•Incorrect: Gastric lavage and vomiting will not affect hemoglobin levels.

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