What is the consequence of metabolic alkalosis in patients with pyloric stenosis?

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In patients with pyloric stenosis, metabolic alkalosis often occurs due to the loss of gastric acids from continuous vomiting, leading to a decreased concentration of hydrogen ions in the blood. The body's compensatory mechanisms in response to this alkalosis can include changes in respiration.

Hypoventilation is the correct consequence seen in this context. When metabolic alkalosis is present, the body attempts to retain carbon dioxide (CO2) by decreasing the rate of breathing. This retention of CO2 can help to bring the pH back towards normal, as CO2 reacts with water to form carbonic acid, which can counteract the alkalosis.

Thus, hypoventilation serves as a compensatory mechanism to counteract the increased pH levels caused by the metabolic alkalosis related to pyloric stenosis. The other options, such as hyperventilation or respiratory alkalosis, involve increased breathing rates which could further worsen the alkalosis rather than compensating for it, while metabolic acidosis does not correctly connect to the condition associated with pyloric stenosis.

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