Fluid & Electrolyte Key Terms

Question 1

substance containing a hydrogen ion that can be liberated or released

Answer 1

acid

Question 2

condition characterized by a proportionate excess of hydrogen ions in the ECF, in which the pH falls below 7.35

Answer 2

acidosis

Question 3

movement of ions or molecules across cell membranes, usually against a pressure gradient and with the expenditure of metabolic energy

Answer 3

active transport

Question 4

condition characterized by a proportionate lack of hydrogen ions in the ECF concentration, in which the pH exceeds 7.45

Answer 4

alkalosis

Question 5

ion that carries a negative electric charge

Answer 5

anions

Question 6

immunoglobulin produced by the body in response to a specific antigen

Answer 6

antibody

Question 7

foreign material capable of inducing a specific immune response

Answer 7

antigen

Question 8

occurs when a patient donates one’s own blood for a transfusion on themselves; it is re-filtered into the patient

Answer 8

autologous transfusion

Question 9

substance that can accept or trap a hydrogen ion; synonym for alkali

Answer 9

base

Question 10

the lab examination to determine a person’s blood type

Answer 10

blood typing

Question 11

substance that prevents body fluid from becoming overly acid or alkaline

Answer 11

buffer

Question 12

passage of fluid across the wall of the capillary; results from the force of blood “pushing” against the walls of the capillaries

Answer 12

capillary filtration

Question 13

ion that carries a positive electric charge

Answer 13

cation

Question 14

pressure exerted by plasma proteins on permeable membranes in the body; synonym for oncotic pressure (through albumin)

Answer 14

colloid osmotic pressure

Question 15

act of determining the compatibility of 2 blood specimens

Answer 15

cross-matching

Question 16

decreased water volume in body tissue; fluid deficient

Answer 16

dehydration

Question 17

tendency of solutes to move freely throughout a solvent from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration until equilibrium is established

Answer 17

diffusion

Question 18

accumulation of fluid in extracellular spaces

Answer 18

edema

Question 19

substances capable of breaking into ions and developing an electric charge when dissolved in solution

Answer 19

electrolytes

Question 20

fluid outside the cells; includes intravascular and interstitial fluids

Answer 20

extracellular fluid (ECF)

Question 21

force exerted by a fluid against the container wall

Answer 21

hydrostatic pressure

Question 22

excess serum level of calcium in the ECF

Answer 22

hypercalcemia

Question 23

excessive serum level of chloride anion & usually accompanied by sodium and water retention

Answer 23

hyperchloremia

Question 24

excess serum level of potassium anion; commonly caused by decreased potassium excretion

Answer 24

hyperkalemia

Question 25

excessive serum level of magnesium cation; most commonly caused by CKD

Answer 25

hypermagnesemia

Question 26

excessive serum level of sodium ion; generally quantified as a serum sodium concentration > 145 mmol/L

Answer 26

hypernatremia

Question 27

excessive serum level of phosphate; can be caused by kidneys inability to excrete excess, increases intake, or disorder that affects the shift of phosphate from intracellular space to extracellular

Answer 27

hyperphosphatemia

Question 28

having a greater concentration than the solution with which it is being compared to

Answer 28

hypertonic

Question 29

having an excess of plasma

Answer 29

hypervolemia

Question 30

deficient serum level of calcium - affects cellular processes of cardiac, smooth, & skeletal muscle; bone structure and blood coagulation also affected by impaired calcium regulation. - can be life-threatening & causes neuromuscular irritability

Answer 30

hypocalcemia

Question 31

deficient serum level of chloride - can affect levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, and other electrolytes in the blood. - results in a rise in bicarbonate levels to compensate for decreased chloride level

Answer 31

hypochloremia

Question 32

deficient serum level of potassium (< 3.5 mEq/L) - results in impaired facilitation of contraction of skeletal and smooth muscle, including MI. - also affects nerve impulse conduction, acid-base balance, enzyme action, and cell membrane function

Answer 32

hypokalemia

Question 33

deficient serum level of magnesium - small deficiency is a relatively common imbalance. - severe deficiency may affect cardiac function & nerve cell function (possibly life-threatening).

Answer 33

hypomagnesemia

Question 34

deficient serum level of sodium - mild: 130 - 134 mmol/L - moderate: 125 - 129 mmol/L - profound: < 125 mmol/L

Answer 34

hyponatremia

Question 35

deficient serum level of phosphate - can affect calcium in teeth & bones, and several metabolic functions including use of B vitamins, acid-base homeostasis, bone formation, nerve & muscle activity, cell division, transmission of hereditary traits, and metabolism of carbs, proteins, and fats.

Answer 35

hypophosphatemia

Question 36

having a lesser concentration than the solution with which it is being compared to; has less osmolality than plasma

Answer 36

hypotonic

Question 37

having a deficiency of blood plasma

Answer 37

hypovolemia

Question 38

fluid within the cell; synonym for cellular fluid

Answer 38

intracellular fluid (ICF)

Question 39

atom or molecule carrying an electric charge in a solution

Answer 39

ion

Question 40

having about the same concentration as the solution with which it is being compared to

Answer 40

isotonic

Question 41

the concentration of particles dissolved in a solution

Answer 41

osmolarity

Question 42

passage of a solvent through a semipermeable membrane from an area of lesser concentration to an area of greater concentration until equilibrium is established

Answer 42

osmosis

Question 43

expression of hydrogen ion concentration and resulting acidity of a substance

Answer 43

pH

Question 44

substance dissolved in a solution

Answer 44

solutes

Question 45

liquid holding a substance in a solution

Answer 45

solvents

Question 46

IV fluid goes into interstitial space (looks swollen & hard, feel cold & painful, paleness) - needs to be stopped as its not in vascular space - pull IV out and reestablish new IV somewhere else

Answer 46

infiltration

Question 47

veins become inflamed

Answer 47

phlebitis