Fluid and Electrolytes Flashcards
List the functions of water
- Acts as a solvent allowing electrolytes to ionize
- Is a reagent in many chemical reactions
- Acts as a transport medium
- Is a lubricant
What are the two major fluid compartments?
Intracellular and extracellular
What is Intracellular fluid?
Intracellular fluid is water inside the cells (2/3 of the bodies fluid
What is extracellular fluid?
Extracellular fluid is outside the cells
(1/3 of the bodies fluid
What is the third fluid compartment?
Plasma is an extracellular compartment that is known as the third fluid compartment
Examples of fluid input?
- Food and drink
Examples of fluid output?
- Kidneys as urine
- Lung with expired air
- Skin diffusion and by sweat
Why is the amount of water in the body important?
- Excess water in the body causes overhydration, and cells start to overfill
- Insufficient water in the body causes dehydration, and a drop in blood volume (and therefore a drop in blood pressure)
Describe the movements of fluid?
- Water, other nutrients and waste products move from capillaries to interstitial spaces as a result of hydrostatic pressure- ‘Pushing’
- Water moves from the interstitial space into cells primarily as a result of osmosis- ‘Pulling’
What protein plays a large role in the osmotic pull?
Albumin
What is the difference between tonicity and osmolarity?
- Osmolarity is the total solute concentration in a
solution - Tonicity describes how the solution affects cells
Describe isotonic
•Isotonic: solutes and water in fluid & cells are
equal
Describe hypertonic
•Hypertonic: solutions have in too many solutes
and therefore greater water loss from cells
Describe hypotonic
•Hypotonic: solutions have less solutes than cells
therefore water moves into the cells
Where is sodium most prevalent?
Extracellular compartments
Where is potassium most prevalent?
Intracellular compartments
What are electrolytes?
A substance which forms
ions in a water solution
What is the best way to regulate body water?
Adjusting the volume of water intake
Where is increased osmolarity detected?
The thirst centre in the hypothalamus
What does dehydration stimulate?
Dehydration stimulates the production of aldosterone via the (RAA) pathway
Fluid balance is regulated by three key hormones what are these hormones?
- Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)
- Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)
- Aldosterone
What is Oedema?
Oedema is the abnormal accumulation of interstitial fluid
