What is a common cause of metabolic alkalosis?

What is a common cause of metabolic alkalosis?

• A. Excessive exercise
• B. Diuretics
• C. Hypoglycemia
• D. High protein diet

Answer: (B)

Diuretics are a common cause of metabolic alkalosis because they can lead to significant electrolyte imbalances and alterations in acid-base balance. When diuretics are used, particularly loop diuretics or thiazides, they promote the excretion of sodium, chloride, and water. This can lead to a loss of hydrogen ions, contributing to a relative increase in bicarbonate concentration in the blood, which is the defining feature of metabolic alkalosis. In patients taking diuretics, the increased excretion of potassium can also prompt the kidneys to reabsorb more hydrogen ions to maintain electrical neutrality, further exacerbating the alkaline state. This is commonly seen in clinical practice and is a well-documented effect of these medications. The other options listed, while they may have effects on metabolism or require close monitoring for specific electrolyte imbalances, do not directly lead to the development of metabolic alkalosis in the same way that diuretics do.

Diuretics are a common cause of metabolic alkalosis because they can lead to significant electrolyte imbalances and alterations in acid-base balance. When diuretics are used, particularly loop diuretics or thiazides, they promote the excretion of sodium, chloride, and water. This can lead to a loss of hydrogen ions, contributing to a relative increase in bicarbonate concentration in the blood, which is the defining feature of metabolic alkalosis.

In patients taking diuretics, the increased excretion of potassium can also prompt the kidneys to reabsorb more hydrogen ions to maintain electrical neutrality, further exacerbating the alkaline state. This is commonly seen in clinical practice and is a well-documented effect of these medications.

The other options listed, while they may have effects on metabolism or require close monitoring for specific electrolyte imbalances, do not directly lead to the development of metabolic alkalosis in the same way that diuretics do.