Chapter 3: Water, Electrolytes, and Acid-Base Balance

Question 1

dehydration

Answer 1

Loss of body water. May lead to death in extreme cases

Question 2

total body water (TBW)

Answer 2

Total amount of water within the body

Question 3

intracellular fluid (ICF)

Answer 3

The body fluid within the cell composed mainly of water dissolved ions, and other molecules

Question 4

extracellular fluid (ECF)

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

interstitial fluid

Answer 5

The fluid around the cells in tissues

Question 6

third space

Answer 6

Intercellular tissue spaces or body cavities

Question 7

edema

Answer 7

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

Question 8

oncotic pressure

Answer 8

AKA colloidal osmotic pressure. The pressure at the capillary membrane

Question 9

hydrostatic pressure

Answer 9

The pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium at a given point within the fluid, due to the force of gravity.

Question 10

lymph edema

Answer 10

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

Question 11

osmolarity

Answer 11

Ability for osmotic pressure to move fluid between compartments

Question 12

Na/K-ATPase pump

Answer 12

Sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphate pump. Plays a key role in regulating water balance

Question 13

osmolality

Answer 13

A measure of the osmotically active particles per kilogram of the solvent in which the particles are dispersed

Question 14

antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Answer 14

AKA vasopressin. A hormone that works to maintain water equilibrium. The release of ADH signals the kidneys to conserve water

Question 15

renin-angiotensin system

Answer 15

Physiological system that regulates blood pressure. When volume of ECF is low, the kidneys release renin to produce angiotensin II

Question 16

metabolic water

Answer 16

An end product of oxidation of foods

Question 17

Osmotic pressure

Answer 17

Directly proportional to the number of particles in solution and usually refers to the pressure at the cell membrane

Question 18

third space fluid

Answer 18

Fluid that is contained in the third space

Question 19

hypervolemia

Answer 19

Excess fluid accumulation is present within the body, leading to excess in circulating blood volume

Question 20

sensible water loss

Answer 20

Measurable water loss. Loss through the kidneys as urine and through the GI tract in the feces

Question 21

insensible water loss

Answer 21

Non-measurable water loss. Through air expired from the lungs and water vapor lost through the skin

Question 22

electrolytes

Answer 22

Minerals with electric charges that dissociate in a solution into positive or negatively charged ions

Question 23

extracellular

Answer 23

Outside the cell

Question 24

intracellular

Answer 24

Within the cell

Question 25

corrected calcium

Answer 25

A formula used when ionized Ca2+ levels are not available

Question 26

hyponatremia

Answer 26

a lower than normal level of sodium in the bloodstream. One of the most common electrolyte disorders among hospitalized patients.

Question 27

acid-base balance

Answer 27

Dynamic equilibrium state of hydrogen (H+)

Question 28

buffer

Answer 28

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

Question 29

metabolic acidosis

Answer 29

Increased production or accumulation of acids or loss of base in the extracellular fluid

Question 30

acidemia

Answer 30

Low blood pH

Question 31

anion gap

Answer 31

The measurement of the interval between the sum of “routinely measured” cations minus the sum of the “routinely measured” anions in the blood

Question 32

metabolic alkalosis

Answer 32

The administration or accumulation of HCO3- or its precursors, excessive loss of acid, or loss of ECF containing more chloride than HCO3-

Question 33

alkalemia

Answer 33

High blood pH

Question 34

contraction alkalosis

Answer 34

Decreased blood flow to the kidneys stimulates reabsorption of Na+ and water, increasing HCO3- reabsorption

Question 35

respiratory acidosis

Answer 35

Caused by decreased ventilation and consequent CO2 retention

Question 36

respiratory alkalosis

Answer 36

Results from increased ventilation and elimination of CO2