What is a typical initial treatment for metabolic alkalosis?

What is a typical initial treatment for metabolic alkalosis?

• A. Aggressive diuretics
• B. Oxygen therapy
• C. Administer bicarbonate
• D. Normal saline infusion

Answer: (D)

Metabolic alkalosis tends to improve when the volume deficit and chloride loss are addressed. Normal saline infusion provides both fluid to restore circulating volume and chloride to the kidneys. With adequate chloride delivered to the distal nephron, the kidney can excrete bicarbonate more effectively, reducing serum bicarbonate and correcting the alkalosis. This approach also improves renal perfusion, which helps the kidneys filter and excrete bicarbonate. In contrast, pushing bicarbonate into the body would worsen the alkalosis, while aggressive diuretics can worsen volume depletion and chloride loss, and oxygen therapy doesn’t specifically treat the acid–base disturbance.

Metabolic alkalosis tends to improve when the volume deficit and chloride loss are addressed. Normal saline infusion provides both fluid to restore circulating volume and chloride to the kidneys. With adequate chloride delivered to the distal nephron, the kidney can excrete bicarbonate more effectively, reducing serum bicarbonate and correcting the alkalosis. This approach also improves renal perfusion, which helps the kidneys filter and excrete bicarbonate.

In contrast, pushing bicarbonate into the body would worsen the alkalosis, while aggressive diuretics can worsen volume depletion and chloride loss, and oxygen therapy doesn’t specifically treat the acid–base disturbance.