Questions: A nurse is caring for a client who has metabolic alkalosis. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as a compensation mechanism for metabolic alkalosis? Hypoventilation Hyperventilation Increased renal acid excretion Decreased renal acid excretion

The answer is the first one: Hypoventilation.

Explanation for each option:

• Hypoventilation: This is the correct answer. In metabolic alkalosis, the body compensates by retaining carbon dioxide to increase acidity and balance the pH. Hypoventilation leads to an increase in carbon dioxide levels, which helps to lower the pH back towards normal.

• Hyperventilation: This is incorrect. Hyperventilation would decrease carbon dioxide levels, leading to a further increase in pH, which would worsen alkalosis rather than compensate for it.

• Increased renal acid excretion: This is incorrect. In metabolic alkalosis, the kidneys would typically retain acid (not excrete it) to help lower the pH back to normal.

• Decreased renal acid excretion: This is incorrect. While decreased acid excretion might seem like a compensatory mechanism, the primary renal response in metabolic alkalosis is to excrete bicarbonate, not to alter acid excretion significantly.

In summary, the body compensates for metabolic alkalosis primarily through hypoventilation, which helps to retain carbon dioxide and decrease the pH towards normal levels.