Chapter 3: Water, Electrolytes, and Acid-Base Balance Flashcards
dehydration
Loss of body water. May lead to death in extreme cases
total body water (TBW)
Total amount of water within the body
intracellular fluid (ICF)
The body fluid within the cell composed mainly of water dissolved ions, and other molecules
extracellular fluid (ECF)
Body fluid that is not contained in cells. It is found in blood, in lymph, in body cavities lined with serous (moisture-exuding) membrane, in the cavities and channels of the brain and spinal cord, and in muscular and other body tissues.
interstitial fluid
The fluid around the cells in tissues
third space
Intercellular tissue spaces or body cavities
edema
The abnormal accumulation of interstitial fluid volume in the “third space” including intercellular tissue spaces or body cavities, that leads to a palpable and/or visible swelling
oncotic pressure
AKA colloidal osmotic pressure. The pressure at the capillary membrane
hydrostatic pressure
The pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium at a given point within the fluid, due to the force of gravity.
lymph edema
When fluid and protein cannot return to circulation, and the trapped protein-rich lymph fluid attracts water. Lymph edema can be seen in cancer patients who have had surgery for lymph node dissection
osmolarity
Ability for osmotic pressure to move fluid between compartments
Na/K-ATPase pump
Sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphate pump. Plays a key role in regulating water balance
osmolality
A measure of the osmotically active particles per kilogram of the solvent in which the particles are dispersed
antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
AKA vasopressin. A hormone that works to maintain water equilibrium. The release of ADH signals the kidneys to conserve water
renin-angiotensin system
Physiological system that regulates blood pressure. When volume of ECF is low, the kidneys release renin to produce angiotensin II
metabolic water
An end product of oxidation of foods
Osmotic pressure
Directly proportional to the number of particles in solution and usually refers to the pressure at the cell membrane
third space fluid
Fluid that is contained in the third space
hypervolemia
Excess fluid accumulation is present within the body, leading to excess in circulating blood volume
sensible water loss
Measurable water loss. Loss through the kidneys as urine and through the GI tract in the feces
insensible water loss
Non-measurable water loss. Through air expired from the lungs and water vapor lost through the skin
electrolytes
Minerals with electric charges that dissociate in a solution into positive or negatively charged ions
extracellular
Outside the cell
intracellular
Within the cell
corrected calcium
A formula used when ionized Ca2+ levels are not available
hyponatremia
a lower than normal level of sodium in the bloodstream. One of the most common electrolyte disorders among hospitalized patients.
acid-base balance
Dynamic equilibrium state of hydrogen (H+)
buffer
Systems composed of weak acids or bases and their corresponding salts minimize the effect on pH of the addition of a strong acid or base
metabolic acidosis
Increased production or accumulation of acids or loss of base in the extracellular fluid
acidemia
Low blood pH
anion gap
The measurement of the interval between the sum of “routinely measured” cations minus the sum of the “routinely measured” anions in the blood
metabolic alkalosis
The administration or accumulation of HCO3- or its precursors, excessive loss of acid, or loss of ECF containing more chloride than HCO3-
alkalemia
High blood pH
contraction alkalosis
Decreased blood flow to the kidneys stimulates reabsorption of Na+ and water, increasing HCO3- reabsorption
respiratory acidosis
Caused by decreased ventilation and consequent CO2 retention
respiratory alkalosis
Results from increased ventilation and elimination of CO2
