Fundamentals - Fluid and Electrolytes

Question 1

Most body fluids are found within this compartment

Answer 1

The intracellular space

Question 2

Where is interstitial fluid found?

What is another name for it?

Answer 2

It is found between the cells. AKA the third space

Question 3

The extracellular compartment includes…

Answer 3

Interstitial fluid (22%)
intravascular (6%)
transcellular (2%): cerebrospinal canals, lymphatic tissues, joints, the eye
**Of 30% total extracellular fluid

Question 4

What is third spacing?

Answer 4

The accumulation of trapped ECF in an actual or potential body space d/t disease or injury. It is not available for normal physiologic processes.

Question 5

What is edema?
What is another name for generalized edema?
What are some conditions that can cause it?

Answer 5

An excess accumulation of fluid in interstitial spaces. AKA anasarca. Can be caused by cardiac, renal, or liver failure.

Question 6

What percent of body wt is fluid in adults?
Infants?
Older adults?
Who is at greatest risk for fluid imbalances?

Answer 6

60% adult
55% geriatric
80% infant
Older adults and infants

Question 7

What is hydrostatic pressure?

What happens when there is a difference in hydrostatic pressure?

Answer 7

• The force exerted by the wt of a solution
• Water and diffusible solutes move out of the solution with the higher hydrostatic pressure by the process of filtration

Question 8

Is hydrostatic or osmotic pressure higher at the arterial end of the capillary? What happens as a result?

Answer 8

Hydrostatic pressure is higher. As a result, fluids and diffusible solutes move out of the capillary. The opposite is true at the venous end.

Question 9

What is osmotic pressure?

Answer 9

The force that draws a solvent from a less concentrated solute through a membrane into a higher concentrated solute.

Question 10

What happens to the amount of electrolytes in the cell vs out of the cell when the body loses more electrolytes than fluids?

Answer 10

Extracellular fluid contains fewer electrolytes than intracellular fluid

Question 11

What is an isotonic solution?
What are some examples?
What is it used for?

Answer 11

• a fluid with equal concentration to cells in the body and equal osmolality with body fluids
• 0.9% NS, D5W, D5W/1/4NS, LR

Question 12

What is a hypotonic solution?
What are some examples?
What is it used for?

Answer 12

• a fluid with a lower concentration of solute than another (in this case the cells). Lower osmolality than body fluids
• 1/2NS, 1/4NS, 1/3NS,

Question 13

What is a hypertonic solution?
What are some examples?
What is it used for?

Answer 13

• a fluid with greater concentration than cells. Higher osmolality than body fluids.
• 3%NS, 5%NS, D5W/1/2NS, D5LR