Fluids and Electrolytes Flashcards
Functions of water in the body?
Transporting nutrients to cells and wastes from cells
Transporting hormones, enzymes, blood platelets, and blood
Facilitating cellular metabolism and proper cellular chemical functioning
Acting as a solvent for electrolytes and non-electrolytes
Helping maintain normal body temperature
Facilitating digestion and promoting elimination
Acting as a tissue lubricant
What is the total body fluid?
50-60% of body weight
How much of our body weight comes from cell fluid or intracellular fluid?
35-40% of body weight
How much of our body weight comes from extra cellular fluid?
15 to 20% if body weight
5% from plasma (intravascular)
10-15% from interstitial fluid
Define osmosis
Water passes from an area of lesser solute concentration to greater concentration until equilibrium is established
Define diffusion
Tendency of solutes to move freely throughout a solvent (downhill)
Define active transport
Requires energy for movement of substances through the cell membrane from the lesser solute concentration to the higher solute concentration
Define capillary filtration
Passage of fluid through a permeable membrane from the area of higher to lower pressure
Define isotonic
Fluid has the same osmolarity as plasma
Cells neither shrink nor swell with fluid movement.
Define hypotonic
Fluid has fewer solutes than plasma
Osmotic pressure draws water into the cells from the ECF and the cell swells
What is hypertonic?
Fluid has more solutes than plasma
Draws water out of the cells, and into the more highly concentrated ECF and the cell shrinks
What are some examples of isotonic IV fluids?
0.9% normal saline
Ringers lactate
What are some examples of hypotonic IV fluids?
0.45% NS
D5W (because dextrose is used up by the body leaving behind only water)
What are some examples of hypertonic IV fluids?
3% saline
D5NS (normal saline)
D10W
D5LR
D50
Chief function of sodium?
Controls and regulates volume of body fluids
Brain!
Chief function of potassium
Chief regulator of cellular enzyme activity and water content
Heart
Chief function of calcium
Nerve impulses, blood clotting, muscle contraction, B12 absorption
Chief function of magnesium
Metabolism of carbohydrates and proteins, vital actions involving enzymes
Chief function of chloride
Maintains osmotic pressure in blood, produces hydrochloric acid
Chief function of bicarbonate
Bodies primary buffer system
Chief function of phosphate
Involved in important chemical reactions in the body, cell division, and hereditary traits
Reference values for sodium?
Adult: 135-145 mmol/L
Panic values for sodium
<125 or > 150 mmol/L
What are some important functions of sodium?
Major cation in the extracellular fluid
Helps to maintain body fluid, is responsible for conduction of neuromuscular impulses, is involved in enzyme activity
Important in acid base balance
What is hyponatremia and how could you get it?
Less than 135 mmol/L
Results from excessive loss of sodium or an excessive gain of water, diuretic therapy, excessive drinking of water, endocrine disorders
What are symptoms of hyponatremia and what are the treatments?
Symptoms: headache, N&V, confusion, muscle twitching, tremors, weakness, irritability
Treatment: receive oral sodium, supplementation, restrict fluid intake
What is hypernatremia and how can you get it?
Sodium higher than 145 mmol/L
Too much sodium in diet, severe insensible water losses that are not replaced, severe vomiting
Symptoms and treatment of hypernatremia
Symptoms: extreme thirst, restlessness, or agitation, anorexia, N&V, dry sticky tongue and oral mucosa, disorientation, hyperactive reflexes, oliguria and anuria, lethargy
Treatment: prescribed oral/IV therapy and sodium restricted diet
Reference values for potassium
Adult: 3.5- 5.3 mmol/L
Panic values for potassium
< 2.5 and > 7.0 mmol/L
Symptoms and treatment for hypokalemia
< 3.5 mmol/L
Symptoms: muscle weakness or leg cramps, paresthesia, fatigue
Cardiac irregularities, G.I. complaints, EKG changes, decreased reflexes
Treatment: oral supplements of potassium, IV potassium chloride
Causes for hyperkalemia?
> 5.0 mmol/L
Reduced excretion by the kidneys, oliguria due to shock or severe dehydration, potassium sparing diuretics