Fluid Electrolyte Balance

Question 1

what % of a healthy adult’s body is composed of fluids?

Answer 1

50-70%

Question 2

body fluid composition of tissue varies by what 3 factors?

Answer 2

tissue type
gender
age

Question 3

what is body fluid composed of?

Answer 3

water
electrolytes

Question 4

name the 2 positively charged electrolytes

Answer 4

Na
K

Question 5

name the 2 negatively charged electrolytes

Answer 5

Cl
P (phosphorus)

Question 6

what are the 3 functions of fluids?

Answer 6

account for blood volume
maintain body temp
protect/lubricate body tissues

Question 7

how do fluids maintain body temperature?

Answer 7

water has a high heat capacity

Question 8

what are the 3 functions of electrolytes?

Answer 8

regulate fluid balance
help nerves respond to stimuli
signal muscles to contract

Question 9

how do electrolytes help regulate fluid balance?

Answer 9

water follows electrolytes into and out of cells

Question 10

how do electrolytes help nerves respond to stimuli?

Answer 10

Na and K move the nerve impulse along the nerve cell

Question 11

how do electrolytes signal our muscles to contract?

Answer 11

Ca moves into muscle to stimulate contraction

Question 12

how is water gained?

Answer 12

food/drink
metabolic reactions

Question 13

hyperhydration, which is rare, is also called what?

Answer 13

water intoxication

Question 14

in which conditions does hyperhydration occur? (3)

Answer 14

kidney disease
hormonal imbalance
overconsumption of water

Question 15

why is hyperhydration bad?

Answer 15

can result in dilution of plasma sodium

Question 16

what are the 5 functions of sodium?

Answer 16

fluid/electrolyte balance
maintain BP
maintain acid-base
nerve impulse transmission
muscle contraction

Question 17

what can occur with too much sodium? (3)

Answer 17

raises BP
increased excretion of Ca
hypernatremia

Question 18

what can cause hyponatremia? (low sodium)

Answer 18

prolonged vomiting, diarrhea, or excessive sweating

Question 19

a patient has headaches, dizziness, fatigue, N/V, and muscle cramps. what could they have?

Answer 19

hyponatremia

Question 20

what are the 3 functions of potassium?

Answer 20

fluid/electrolyte balance
muscle contraction
maintains a lower BP

Question 21

what are good sources of potassium? (3)

Answer 21

fruits/veggies
whole grains
dairy products

Question 22

in which patients is hyperkalemia seen?

Answer 22

patients with kidney disease

Question 23

what can hyperkalemia lead to?

Answer 23

altered heart rhythm = heart attack

Question 24

what can cause hypokalemia?

Answer 24

kidney disease
diabetic acidosis
extreme dehydration
excessive V/D
diuretics

Question 25

what can hypokalemia cause?

Answer 25

abnormal heart rhythm

Question 26

what are the 4 functions of chloride?

Answer 26

fluid balance
component of HCl in stomach
assists immune system
transmission of nerve impulses

Question 27

what can too much chloride lead to?

Answer 27

hypertension

Question 28

what are 2 causes of low chloride?

Answer 28

severe dehydration/frequent vomiting

Question 29

what are the 3 functions of phosphorous?

Answer 29

fluid balance
mineral complex of bone
regulate biochemical pathways

Question 30

which electrolyte is found in ATP, DNA, RNA, and phospholipids?

Answer 30

phosphorous

Question 31

what are good sources of phosphorous?

Answer 31

protein:
meat
milk
eggs

Question 32

what can cause high blood phosphorous? (3)

Answer 32

kidney disease
excess vit D supplements
overuse of antacids

Question 33

a patient presents with muscle spasms and convulsions. what is likely wrong?

Answer 33

high blood phosphorous

Question 34

which patients are most at risk of low blood phosphorous? (3)

Answer 34

premature infants
elderly
alcoholics

Question 35

what can lead to low blood phosphorous? (3)

Answer 35

vit D deficiency
hyperparathyroidism
overuse of antacids that bind phosphorous