Which statement regarding alpha 1 and alpha 2 receptors is correct?

Choice A Reason:

An increase in HCO3- (bicarbonate) is not typically associated with diarrhea and lower intestinal fluid losses. In fact, the opposite is true. Diarrhea often leads to a loss of bicarbonate, which can result in metabolic acidosis. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice B Reason:

This is the correct answer. Diarrhea and other lower intestinal fluid losses lead to a decrease in HCO3- levels. The loss of bicarbonate from the body results in a lower pH, contributing to metabolic acidosis. This condition occurs because bicarbonate is a key buffer that helps maintain the acid-base balance in the blood.

Choice C Reason:

An increase in the chance of alkalosis is not typically associated with diarrhea. Alkalosis refers to a condition where the pH of the blood is higher than normal, which can occur due to a loss of hydrogen ions or an increase in bicarbonate. However, diarrhea usually causes a loss of bicarbonate, leading to acidosis rather than alkalosis.

Choice D Reason:

Saying that diarrhea has no effect on the pH of the blood is incorrect. Diarrhea can significantly impact the acid-base balance in the body by causing a loss of bicarbonate, leading to metabolic acidosis. Therefore, this choice is incorrect.

Choice A: Hypoventilation

Hypoventilation refers to inadequate ventilation that leads to an increased concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the blood, resulting in respiratory acidosis. This condition is characterized by a decrease in blood pH due to the accumulation of CO2, which forms carbonic acid. Hypoventilation does not cause metabolic acidosis, as it primarily affects the respiratory component of acid-base balance.

Choice B: Massive Blood Transfusion

Massive blood transfusion can lead to metabolic alkalosis rather than metabolic acidosis. This is because stored blood products often contain citrate, which is metabolized to bicarbonate in the liver, increasing the blood’s alkalinity. Additionally, the transfusion of large volumes of blood can dilute the plasma bicarbonate concentration, but this typically does not result in metabolic acidosis.

Choice C: Kidney Failure

Kidney failure is a common cause of metabolic acidosis. The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining acid-base balance by excreting hydrogen ions (H+) and reabsorbing bicarbonate (HCO3-). When the kidneys fail, they are unable to remove sufficient acids from the blood, leading to an accumulation of metabolic acids and a decrease in blood pH. This condition is known as metabolic acidosis and can result from chronic kidney disease (CKD) or acute kidney injury (AKI).

Choice D: Hyperventilation

Hyperventilation leads to respiratory alkalosis, not metabolic acidosis. This condition occurs when there is excessive ventilation, causing a decrease in CO2 levels in the blood and an increase in blood pH. Hyperventilation reduces the concentration of carbonic acid, leading to an alkaline state. It does not contribute to metabolic acidosis, which involves an imbalance in the metabolic components of acid-base regulation.