Milk-alkali syndrome triad includes which three features?

• A. Hypercalcemia, metabolic acidosis, renal failure
• B. Hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis, renal impairment
• C. Hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, dehydration
• D. Hypercalcemia, acidosis, dehydration

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that milk-alkali syndrome produces a specific triad: hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis, and renal impairment. It typically arises from taking large amounts of calcium carbonate with alkali. The excess calcium raises blood calcium levels, and high calcium can impair kidney function and cause polyuria and dehydration. The resulting volume depletion and continued alkali intake promote a contraction metabolic alkalosis, so the body develops metabolic alkalosis rather than acidosis. The impaired kidneys then fail to excrete calcium effectively, sustaining the hypercalcemia and the alkalosis in a vicious cycle. That combination—high calcium, metabolic alkalosis, and kidney dysfunction—defines the milk-alkali triad.