A client tells the nurse about passing out after following a fasting d

A client tells the nurse about passing out after following a fasting diet for 5 days. Which acid–base imbalance should the nurse expect to assess in this client?

1. Respiratory acidosis
2. Respiratory alkalosis
3. Metabolic acidosis
4. Metabolic alkalosis

ANSWER

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale 1: Starvation would not result in respiratory acidosis.
Rationale 2: Starvation would not result in respiratory alkalosis.
Rationale 3: A client who is fasting is at risk for development of metabolic acidosis. The body recognizes fasting as starvation and begins to metabolize its own proteins into ketones, which are metabolic acids.
Rationale 4: Starvation would not result in metabolic alkalosis.