If a patient began vomiting and continued to do so for several hours, the nurse is aware that this loss of stomach contents can result in:

Rationale: A. Metabolic alkalosis occurs because vomiting causes loss of gastric hydrochloric acid (HCl), reducing hydrogen ions in the body and increasing blood pH. This is the most common acid-base imbalance associated with prolonged vomiting. B. Respiratory alkalosis results from excessive loss of CO₂ due to hyperventilation, unrelated to vomiting. C. Respiratory acidosis results from hypoventilation causing CO₂ retention; vomiting does not cause this. D. Metabolic acidosis occurs when there is a loss of bicarbonate or accumulation of acids, such as in diarrhea or ketoacidosis, not typically from vomiting.