Final answer:
Prolonged gastric vomiting or suctioning typically leads to metabolic alkalosis, a condition reflected by increased blood pH and bicarbonate levels. This is identified using lab tests such as pH, pCO2, and HCO3- levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient experiences prolonged gastric vomiting or suctioning, it is common to see an imbalance known as metabolic alkalosis. This condition is characterized by a loss of hydrogen and chloride ions, which are components of hydrochloric acid (HCl), leading to an increase in blood pH. Lab tests that measure blood pH, CO2 partial pressure (pCO2), and bicarbonate (HCO3-) levels are used to diagnose and classify the type of acid-base imbalance. Metabolic alkalosis is typically indicated by an elevated blood pH and HCO3- concentration, and normal or compensatory changes in pCO2. Additionally, prolonged vomiting can result in the loss of potassium ions due to the loss of gastric juice, further contributing to this condition.