a-patient-with-repeated-vomiting-presents-with-generalized-muscle-weakness-and-l

Question

A patient with repeated vomiting presents with generalized muscle weakness and low reflexes. Laboratory tests show low serum potassium. Which immediate physiologic explanation best accounts for these symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Loss of body potassium reduces the extracellular potassium concentration, hyperpolarizing muscle and nerve cells and making them less excitable, causing weakness and reduced reflexes.

Answer

The loss of gastric acid with vomiting converts potassium to an inert form that accumulates in the liver causing systemic metabolic failure and muscle fatigue unrelated to membrane potentials.

Answer

Low serum potassium directly increases sodium entry into cells thereby improving nerve firing and causing tremors and hyperreflexia rather than weakness.

Answer

Vomiting primarily raises intracellular potassium causing membrane depolarization and prolonged muscle contraction rather than weakness.