Fluid and Electrolytes Flashcards
Which of the following best defines the concept of fluid and electrolyte balance?
The process of regulating the extracellular fluid volume, body fluid osmolality, and plasma concentrations of electrolytes.
How is electrolyte concentration measured?
Blood sample
What are common sources of fluid loss in the body?
Urine, feces, skin, respiration
Which of the following signs and symptoms are associated with too little volume (a fluid deficit)?
Oliguria, skin tenting, postural hypotension
Which of the following signs and symptoms are associated with hypomagnesia?
Seizures, muscle cramps and twitching, cardiac dysrhythmias
Isotonic Solution
A solution that has the same osmolarity as the blood.
What is EFC
Extracellular fluid-fluid outside the cell (vascular and interstitial)
Osmolality levels within range are:
280-300 mosmol/kg
K+ levels
3.5-5 meq/L
Calcium Leves
9-11mg/dL
Sodium
135-145 meq/L
Magnesium
1.5-2.5 meq/L
What electrolyte is predominant in extracellular fluid
Na+
What electrolyte is predominant in intracellular fluid?
K+
Aldosterone
Regulates secretion of Na+ and water. It also increases secretion of K+
ADH
Regulates the excretion of water. When released it Tells the kidneys to hold more water. When withheld the body continues to release fluids.
Hypernatremia
Fluid is too concentrated
Hyponatremia
Too diluted
What is dehydration?
Hypernatremia and EFC deficit
Hyperkalemia
Too high concentration of K+
Hypokalemia
Not enough concentration of K+
What are the two characteristics of optimal balance?
-Intake and absorption of fluid and electrolytes match the output.
-Volume, electrolytes, and osmolality is within it’s normal ranges.
Hypovolemia
Liquid plasma is too low (extracellular fluid is too low)
Colloid Pressure
Large proteins moving fluid into the capillaries
Hydrostatic Pressure
Pushes fluid out of the capillaries
What fluid is highest in the EFC
Na+
What fluid is highest in the cells?
K+
Where are the concentrations of Ca2+ and Mg2+ the highest?
In the cells and the bones
What can become imbalanced when you have diarrhea?
Na+, water, and K+
What can happen with renal problems?
IV solutions can overwhelm their body, because the intake is much greater than the output. K+ can become excess, and cause heart disrythmias.
Oliguric
Low urine output
What are “third spaces”?
When ECF moves into the peritoneal cavity and the intestinal lumen.
What are consequences of fluid and electrolyte imbalances?
-Impaired perfusion
-Impaired cerebral function
-Impaired neuromuscular function
What happens when there is a deficit of Ca+ and Mg+?
Muscular Excitability
What happens when there is a K+ deficit or excess
Muscle Weakness
What are the symptoms of hypomagnesemia and hypocalcemia?
Seizures, muscle twitching and cramping, hyperactive reflexes
What are the symptoms of hypermagnesemia and hypercalcemia?
muscle weakness, depressed reflexes, and lethargy
Symptoms of hyperkalemia
Muscle weakness, cardiac arrest, cardiac dysrhythmias
Symptoms of hypokalmia
Muscle weakness, abdominal distention, constipation, cardiac dysrythmias
