PN Adult Medical Surgical Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Vomiting can lead to metabolic alkalosis primarily due to the loss of gastric acid. The stomach secretes hydrochloric acid (HCl), and when vomiting occurs, there is a significant loss of this acidic content. This loss contributes to a deficit of hydrogen ions in the body, which results in an increased pH level, thereby causing metabolic alkalosis.

In contrast, conditions like diarrhea generally lead to metabolic acidosis due to the loss of bicarbonate, which is important for maintaining the body's acid-base balance. Chronic kidney disease can also lead to different types of acid-base imbalances, but it is more commonly associated with metabolic acidosis as the kidneys become less effective at excreting acids. Severe dehydration can affect the body’s electrolyte balance and potentially lead to various imbalances, but it does not specifically lead to metabolic alkalosis in the manner that vomiting does.