Following administration of oral ammonium chloride,a patient with renal tubular acidosis will produce:
A) Highly concentrated urine
B) Urine with a low pH
C) Urine with a high pH
D) Very dilute urine

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Oral ammonium chloride is used as a diagnostic tool for renal tubular acidosis. Patients with renal tubular acidosis have a defect in their ability to excrete acid, resulting in a higher-than-normal pH in their urine. Administration of oral ammonium chloride triggers the kidneys to excrete excess acid, which should result in a lower pH in the urine. However, in patients with renal tubular acidosis, the defective acid excretion process is not corrected by the ammonium chloride, and the pH of the urine remains high. Therefore, choice C is the correct answer as it reflects the expected outcome for a patient with renal tubular acidosis.

Following Administration of Oral Ammonium Chloride,a Patient with Renal Tubular