electrolyte flashcards - Sheet1
Where are electrolytes and solutes found in the body?
Electrolytes and solutes are found in both the intracellular fluid (ICF) and extracellular fluid (ECF) but are not equally distributed.
What are the predominant electrolytes in the intracellular fluid (ICF)?
Potassium (K+), magnesium (Mg+), phosphate (Phos+), and sulfate (SO4-) are predominant in the ICF.
What are the predominant electrolytes in the extracellular fluid (ECF)?
Sodium (Na+), calcium (Ca+), bicarbonate (HCO3-), and chloride (Cl-) are predominant in the ECF.
Why is the distribution of electrolytes/solutes between compartments important?
It is important for maintaining electroneutrality, transmitting electrical impulses, and moving water among body compartments.
How do sodium (Na+) and chloride (Cl-) relate to each other?
Na+ and Cl- usually rise and fall together. When sodium levels go up, chloride levels also go up and vice versa.
How do bicarbonate (HCO3-) and chloride (Cl-) relate to each other?
They have an inverse relationship. When HCO3- is low, chloride levels increase, and when HCO3- is high, chloride levels decrease.
What is the relationship between magnesium (Mg+) and calcium (Ca+)?
Mg+ and Ca+ antagonize each other. When Mg+ levels go up, Ca+ levels go down because they compete for absorption.
What is the normal serum range for sodium (Na+)?
The normal serum range for sodium is 135-145 mEq/L.
What are the key functions of sodium in the body?
Sodium regulates total body water balance, maintains neuromuscular irritability, regulates acid-base balance, and participates in cellular reactions and substance transport.
What is the normal serum range for chloride (Cl-)?
The normal range for chloride is 95-105 mEq/L.
What are the functions of chloride in the body?
Chloride provides electroneutrality, regulates fluid and pH balance, helps transmit nerve impulses, and is required for producing hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
What is the normal serum range for potassium (K+)?
The normal serum potassium level is 3.5-5 mEq/L.
What is the major intracellular electrolyte and why is it important?
Potassium is the major intracellular electrolyte and is essential for cellular function, maintaining electrical neutrality, and nerve impulse transmission.
What factors cause potassium to move into cells?
Insulin, aldosterone secretion, epinephrine secretion, and alkalosis (high pH) facilitate potassium movement into cells.
What factors cause potassium to move out of cells?
Insulin deficiency, aldosterone deficiency, acidosis (low pH), cellular lysis, and strenuous exercise cause potassium to move out of cells.
