Fluids and electrolytes Flashcards
What are functions of water?
(Name 4)
- Transport nutrients, cells, enzymes etc.
- Facilitate metabolism/cell function
- Acts as solvent
- Facilitate digestion
Name these 4 fluid types:
1) Extracellular fluid
2) Interstitial fluid
3) Intravascular fluid (plasma)
4) Intracellular fluid
Sensible vs. Insensible fluid loss
Sensible
- Measurable (urination, wounds, poop)
Insensible
- Cannot be measured (Fever, sweat, burns)
What are the two components of ECF?
- Interstitial fluid
- Intravascular fluid
Electrolytes are often known as ______ while they are dissolved in water, known as the _______.
Electrolyte= Solute
Water= Solvent
What is osmosis?
Active or passive?
Diffusion of water from high concentration to low concentration.
Passive transport
What is diffusion?
Active or passive?
Movement of solute from area of high concentration to area of low concentration.
Passive transport
What is Filtration?
Passive or active?
Molecules moved across membrane due to pressure on side they leave
Passive transport
What is hydrostatic pressure?
What is osmotic pressure?
- Hydrostatic: Pressure on walls of blood vessels
- Osmotic pressure: Pressure exerted by proteins in plasma
When administerin a isotonic solution (IV), what is expected to occur?
Fluid equally leaves and enters red blood cells.
When administering a hypotonic solution (IV), what is expected to occur?
- Why?
Water moves in cells; cells swell.
- Concentration of solutes is greater inside RBCs
When administering a hypertonic solution (IV), what is expected to occur?
- Why?
Water leaves cells; cells shrivel
- Concentration of solutes is greater in solution
Why does dehydration become more common with old age?
- Renal function declines
- Harder to detect thirst
- Decreased kidney mass, total body water, and renal blood flow
Is the skin turgor assessment a good indicator to detect Fluid volume deficits?
Where might you test it?
Not for older people; skin naturall loses elasticity
Test over forehead or sternum
About how much of the typical adult is fluid?
(side note: varies on age, body size and gender)
About 60%
What is “third spacing”?
Loss of ECF into space that serves no purpose
What are the main routes of fluid loss?
- Kidneys: urien output
- Skin: sensible/insensible
- Lungs
- GI
What are some consideration nurses must make when treating geriatrics for fluids?
(3)
- Reduced homeostatic mechanisms
- Decreased body fluid percentage
- Medication use
What are these fluid imbalances also known as:
- Fluid volume deficit (FVD)
- Fluid volume excess (FVE)
- FVD= Hypovolemia
- FVE= Hypervolemia
What accompanies fluid volume deficits?
Electrolytes lost in same proportion as they exist
What is the difference between dehydration and FVD?
Dehydration= Loss of water AND increased serum sodium
What are some signs of fluid volume deficits?
- Low blood pressure
- Low skin turgor
- High HR and RR
- Weakness
What happens to BUN, HCT, and Specific gravity values during dehydration?
BUN, HCT, and specific gravity increase
What are signs of Fluid volume excess?
- Edema
- Distended veins
- Lung crackles
- increased HR and blood pressure
