Given a patient with alkalosis and normal CO2 levels, what should the respiratory therapist recommend?

When a patient presents with alkalosis and normal carbon dioxide levels, it often indicates a primary metabolic alkalosis situation. In such cases, the management typically focuses on addressing the underlying cause of the alkalosis rather than correcting CO2 levels, since they are within a normal range.

Administering potassium chloride (KCl) is appropriate because hypokalemia frequently accompanies metabolic alkalosis. Potassium is crucial for normal cellular function, and when bicarbonate levels are elevated, potassium can shift out of the cells, leading to low serum potassium levels. By providing KCl, you can help restore both normal potassium levels and assist in correcting the underlying metabolic disturbance.

The other options are less relevant to this particular scenario. Administering normal saline (NaCl) might help with fluid and electrolyte balance but does not specifically address the potassium levels. Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3-) would worsen metabolic alkalosis since it adds more bicarbonate to the system. Administering volume-expanding fluids could be beneficial for hydration but does not specifically target the potassium imbalance that often contributes to or results from metabolic alkalosis.