Metabolic alkalosis physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Marufa Marium, M.B.B.S[2]

Patients suffering from Metabolic alkalosis usually appear restless, irritable. Patients with metabolic alkalosis is usually remarkable for tachycardia/dysrhythmia, hypoxemia, Hypoxemia, Compensatory hypoventilation, Muscle cramps, Tremor, tingling and numbness in extremities, Weakness on clinical examination.

• Physical examination of patients with metabolic alkalosis is usually remarkable for : tachycardia/dysrhythmia, hypoxemia, Hypoxemia, Compensatory hypoventilation, Muscle cramps, Tremor, tingling and numbness in extremities, Weakness.

• Patients with metabolic alkalosis usually appear Restlessness/ Irritable/lethargic.

• High-grade / low-grade fever
• Hypothermia may present in hypovolemic conditions, hyperthermia may be seen endocrine or infectious causes.
• Tachycardia with regular pulse.
• Compensatory Bradypnea.
• High/low blood pressure depending on causes of metabolic alkalosis

• Skin examination of patients with metabolic alkalosis is usually:
• Decreased or normal turgor
• Cool and clammy in hypovolemic condition
• Pallor

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Dry oral mucosa without tonsillar swelling, exudates, and/or petechiae

• Jugular venous distension or Flat JVD depending on causes.
• Carotid bruits may or may not be auscultated unilaterally/bilaterally using the bell/diaphragm of the stethoscope

• Hypoxemia
• Compensatory hypoventilation
• Pulmonary microatelactasis
• Increased V/Q mismatch

• Tachycardia
• Dysarrythmia
• CHF findings

Abdominal examination of patients with metabolic alkalosis is usually depends on the causes.

• Back examination of patients with metabolic alkalosis is usually normal.

• Urine output and frequency should be measured.

• Confusion
• Loss of consciousness/Mental obtundation, *Neuromuscular excitability/Muscle cramps, *Tremor

• Tingling and numbness in extremities, *Weakness

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