Which electrolyte abnormality is commonly associated with metabolic alkalosis?

• A. Hypokalemia
• B. Hyperkalemia
• C. Hypercalcemia
• D. Hyponatremia

Answer: (A)

Metabolic alkalosis is often accompanied by low potassium (hypokalemia) because the common causes—like vomiting with loss of stomach acid or use of loop diuretics—produce volume and chloride depletion and trigger aldosterone-driven exchange of sodium reabsorption for potassium and hydrogen ion loss in the distal nephron. As potassium is lost in the urine, serum potassium falls. At the same time, the body's attempts to preserve volume and sodium promote further hydrogen and potassium loss in exchange for sodium, which helps maintain and even worsen the alkalosis. So low potassium is a typical finding with metabolic alkalosis. Hyperkalemia, hypercalcemia, and hyponatremia are not characteristically tied to this condition in the same way.