A home care patient takes sodium bicarbonate on a daily basis for ...

[Medesa]

A home care patient takes sodium bicarbonate on a daily basis for symptoms of heartburn and indigestion. Which of the following acid-base imbalances may be noted in this patient by the health care provider?
 
  a. Respiratory acidosis
  b. Respiratory alkalosis
  c. Metabolic acidosis
  d. Metabolic alkalosis

Question 2

A patient who takes sodium bicarbonate is scheduled for gastric acid analysis. For how many hours before the test should the drug be withheld?
 
  a. 24 hours
  b. 16 hours
  c. 12 hours
  d. 8 hours

[nmyers]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: D
The adverse effects of alkalinizing drugs are usually related to large dosages. Excessive sodium bicarbonate causes metabolic alkalosis, which manifests as hyperirritability, tetany, or both.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: A
Sodium bicarbonate antagonizes the effects of pentagastrin and histamine during testing of gas-tric acid secretion and should be withheld for 24 hours preceding the test.

[Medesa]

Thanks

[nmyers]

Welcome