Acid-Base Imbalance Case Study Acid-base imbalances are seen daily in the emergency room. The ability to diagnose and treat depends on determining the patient's underlying cause and understanding how to treat it. A 22-year-old woman was brought to the emergency room with flu-like symptoms, excessive vomiting, inability to tolerate food, and taking high doses of antacids for eight days (GCU, 2010). Arterial blood gas analysis and IV fluid administration were initiated. The following document will analyze blood results to determine acid-base disorder, the pathophysiological factors that lead to this imbalance, how the body compensates, pharmacological intervention, and patient education. Classification of patient acid-base disorders In the classification of patient acid-base disorders, the most common cause of metabolic alkalosis is an increase in pH and an increase in HCO3 (Lehne, 2013). This occurs when the body loses hydrogen ions. Hydrogen ions are rich in gastric secretions that are lost when a person continuously vomits. When hydrogen ions are excreted, a bicarbonate ion accumulates in the extracellular space, causing a buildup in the stomach. It continues to manifest as alkalemia (pH > 7.40). The body's compensatory mechanism tries to stabilize bicarbonate levels. This leads to alveolar hypoventilation with an increase in arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) and decreases the pH changes that would normally occur (Lehne, 2013). Ingestion of large quantities of non-absorbable antacids can also generate metabolic alkalosis. “When you hydroxide magnesium, calcium, or aluminum with a hydroxide or carbonate base, the hydroxide anion buffers the hydrogen ions in the stomach” (Schreiber, 2013). The cation binds to bicarbonate which is secreted by the pancreas and is excreted from the body. In a normally functioning body, both hydrogen ions and bicarbonate are lost without any acid-base disturbance. When there is an increase in sodium bicarbonate, it does not bind to the cation and is reabsorbed causing an imbalance (Schreiber, 2013). Amounts of sodium bicarbonate exceed the capacity of the kidneys and cause the administration of antiemetics to reduce vomiting. To correct fluid losses, 0.9% saline would be administered at a rate of 50-100 ml. If continuous gastric aspiration is necessary, an H2 blocker or PPI will be added to decrease gastric secretions and let the stomach rest. Potassium supplements would be administered to prevent hypokalemia due to volume resuscitation. Labs would be done to monitor electrolytes in the blood and urine. Vital signs to monitor blood pressure, pulse, respiration, oxygen levels and temperature for any dynamic