Which condition could lead to metabolic alkalosis, hypochloremia, and hypokalemia?

• A. Chronic diarrhea
• B. Rumen acidosis
• C. Rumen distention
• D. None of the above

Answer: (D)

Metabolic alkalosis with low chloride and low potassium develops when the body loses gastric acid (HCl) or when there is a chloride-depleting, potassium-wasting state, such as persistent vomiting or gastric drainage. Losing HCl raises bicarbonate in the blood, and the kidneys often excrete potassium to balance charge, producing hypokalemia.

Chronic diarrhea, on the other hand, tends to cause a hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis from bicarbonate loss in the intestinal fluids, not alkalosis. Rumen acidosis is a form of metabolic acidosis due to excess lactic acid and volatile fatty acids, not alkalosis. Rumen distention does not typically produce this specific pattern of electrolyte disturbance.

None of the listed conditions reliably produce that combination; the pattern described is more characteristic of losses like vomiting or gastric drainage.