Fluids and electrolytes

Question 1

What are functions of water?

(Name 4)

Answer 1

1. Transport nutrients, cells, enzymes etc.
2. Facilitate metabolism/cell function
3. Acts as solvent
4. Facilitate digestion

Question 2

Name these 4 fluid types:

Answer 2

1) Extracellular fluid
2) Interstitial fluid
3) Intravascular fluid (plasma)
4) Intracellular fluid

Question 3

Sensible vs. Insensible fluid loss

Answer 3

Sensible

• Measurable (urination, wounds, poop)

Insensible

• Cannot be measured (Fever, sweat, burns)

Question 4

What are the two components of ECF?

Answer 4

1. Interstitial fluid
2. Intravascular fluid

Question 5

Electrolytes are often known as ______ while they are dissolved in water, known as the _______.

Answer 5

Electrolyte= Solute

Water= Solvent

Question 6

What is osmosis?

Active or passive?

Answer 6

Diffusion of water from high concentration to low concentration.

Passive transport

Question 7

What is diffusion?

Active or passive?

Answer 7

Movement of solute from area of high concentration to area of low concentration.

Passive transport

Question 8

What is Filtration?

Passive or active?

Answer 8

Molecules moved across membrane due to pressure on side they leave

Passive transport

Question 9

What is hydrostatic pressure?

What is osmotic pressure?

Answer 9

• Hydrostatic: Pressure on walls of blood vessels
• Osmotic pressure: Pressure exerted by proteins in plasma

Question 10

When administerin a isotonic solution (IV), what is expected to occur?

Answer 10

Fluid equally leaves and enters red blood cells.

Question 11

When administering a hypotonic solution (IV), what is expected to occur?

• Why?

Answer 11

Water moves in cells; cells swell.

• Concentration of solutes is greater inside RBCs

Question 12

When administering a hypertonic solution (IV), what is expected to occur?

• Why?

Answer 12

Water leaves cells; cells shrivel

• Concentration of solutes is greater in solution

Question 13

Why does dehydration become more common with old age?

Answer 13

1. Renal function declines
2. Harder to detect thirst
3. Decreased kidney mass, total body water, and renal blood flow

Question 14

Is the skin turgor assessment a good indicator to detect Fluid volume deficits?

Where might you test it?

Answer 14

Not for older people; skin naturall loses elasticity

Test over forehead or sternum

Question 15

About how much of the typical adult is fluid?

(side note: varies on age, body size and gender)

Answer 15

About 60%

Question 16

What is “third spacing”?

Answer 16

Loss of ECF into space that serves no purpose

Question 17

What are the main routes of fluid loss?

Answer 17

1. Kidneys: urien output
2. Skin: sensible/insensible
3. Lungs
4. GI

Question 18

What are some consideration nurses must make when treating geriatrics for fluids?

(3)

Answer 18

1. Reduced homeostatic mechanisms
2. Decreased body fluid percentage
3. Medication use

Question 19

What are these fluid imbalances also known as:

1. Fluid volume deficit (FVD)
2. Fluid volume excess (FVE)

Answer 19

1. FVD= Hypovolemia
2. FVE= Hypervolemia

Question 20

What accompanies fluid volume deficits?

Answer 20

Electrolytes lost in same proportion as they exist

Question 21

What is the difference between dehydration and FVD?

Answer 21

Dehydration= Loss of water AND increased serum sodium

Question 22

What are some signs of fluid volume deficits?

Answer 22

• Low blood pressure
• Low skin turgor
• High HR and RR
• Weakness

Question 23

What happens to BUN, HCT, and Specific gravity values during dehydration?

Answer 23

BUN, HCT, and specific gravity increase

Question 24

What are signs of Fluid volume excess?

Answer 24

1. Edema
2. Distended veins
3. Lung crackles
4. increased HR and blood pressure