Fluids & Electrolytes Flashcards
Define Total body water (TBW)
The total amount of water in the body at a given time
Define Intracellular fluid (ICF)
The fluid inside the body cells
Define Extracellular fluid (ECF)
The fluid outside the body cells.
intravascular fluid & interstitial fluid
Define Intravascular fluid
The fluid within the circulatory system
Define Interstitial fluid
The fluid in body tissues that is outside the cells and outside the vascular system
Define Solvent
A substance that dissolves other substances, forming a solution
What is the largest cellular compartment?
Intracellular compartment
List the percentages of all four of the body fluid compartments
Intracellular 75.0%
Extracellular 25.0%
Interstitial 17.5%
Intravascular 7.5%
What percentage of an infant’s weight is TBW?
75-80%
What percentage of an adult male’s weight is TBW?
65-70%
What percentage of an adult female’s weight is TBW?
60-65%
Why is there a difference in TBW between genders?
Due to hormonal differences that result in the male’s greater muscle mass and the female’s greater percentage of body fat
What are two reasons that infants have a higher TBW
- Infants have less fat than adults (Fat doesn’t absorb in water. Less fat more water)
- Water is essential for high rates of metabolism (Necessary to promote growth)
What percentage of an elderly patient’s weight is TBW? Why is it lower?
~45-55%
Loss of muscle mass, increased percentage of fat, and the body’s decreasing ability to regulate fluid levels
List several factors that contribute to dehydration
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Perspiration
- Peritonitis
- Malnutrition
- Burns
- Open wounds
Define Overhydration
The presence or retention of an abnormally high amount of body fluid
List the four major elements that make up 99% of atoms in the body
- Hydrogen (H)
- Oxygen (O
- Carbon (C)
- Nitrogen (N)
List the nine trace elements that account for 1% of elements in the body
- Calcium (Ca)
- Chlorine (Cl)
- Iodine (I)
- Iron (Fe)
- Magnesium (Mg)
- Phosphorus (Ph)
- Potassium (K)
- Sodium (Na)
- Sulphur (S)
Define Electrolyte
A substance that, in water, separates into eclectically charged particles
Define Dissociate
separate; break down
For example, sodium bicarbonate when placed in water, disassociates into a sodium cation and a bicarbonate anion
Define Ion
A charged particle; an atom or group of atoms whose electrical charge has changed from neutral to positive or negative by losing or gaining one or more electrons.
Define Cation
An ion with a positive charge
- so called because it will be attracted to a cathode, or negative pole
Define Anion
An ion with a negative charge
0 so called because it will be attracted to an anode, or positive pole
Define Buffer
A substance that tends to preserve or restore a normal acid-base balance by increasing or decreasing the concentration of hydrogen ions
Define Isotonic
Equal in concentration of solute molecules; solutions may be isotonic to each other
Define Hypertonic
Having a greater concentration of solute molecules; one solution may be hypertonic to another
Define Hypotonic
Having a lesser concentration of solute molecules; one solution may be hypotonic to another
Define Osmotic gradient
The difference in concentration between solutions on opposite sides of a semipermeable membrane
Define Diffusion
The movement of molecules through a membrane from an area of greater concentration to an area of lesser concentration
Define Osmosis
The passage of a solvent, such as water, through a membrane
Define Active transport
Movement of a substance through a cell membrane against the osmotic gradient; that is, from an area of lesser concentration to an area of greater concentration
