A 46-Year-Old Man Complains of Progressive Muscle Weakness

Multiple Choice

A 46-year-old man complains of progressive muscle weakness. Laboratory studies show a serum pH of 7.6, HCO₃^- of 32 mEq/L, and an elevated plasma aldosterone concentration. The most likely cause of muscle weakness in this patient is:

A) Hyperchloremia
B) Hyperkalemia
C) Hypocalcemia
D) Hypokalemia
E) Hyponatremia