AEMCA Practice Exam

Excessive vomiting can lead to which of the following conditions?

1. Respiratory acidosis

2. Metabolic acidosis

3. Metabolic alkalosis

4. None of the above

The correct answer is: Metabolic alkalosis

Excessive vomiting can lead to metabolic alkalosis due to the loss of gastric acid. When a person vomits, they expel not only the contents of their stomach but also hydrochloric acid, which is critical for maintaining the body's acid-base balance. This loss of acid can cause an increase in the pH of the blood, resulting in metabolic alkalosis. Metabolic alkalosis occurs when the body loses too much acid or retains too much base. In the case of vomiting, the significant loss of gastric acid decreases the overall acidity in the body, thus increasing the alkaline level. This condition can manifest with symptoms such as muscle twitching, hand tremors, and cardiac issues due to electrolyte imbalances. Understanding the pathophysiology of vomiting and its effect on the body's acid-base balance can clarify why metabolic alkalosis is the correct answer.