Investigation of Salt & Water and Acid/Base Balance Flashcards
Distribution of body fluids - describe
Extracellular Fluid Compartment = 20% Interstitial = 15% Intravascular = 5% Transcellular = 1% H2O in connective tissue = <1%
Intracellular Fluid Compartment = 40%
Water balance are determined by what? (w/sodium)
Intake - Dietary intake (Thirst) Output - Obligatory losses Skin Lungs - Controlled losses – these depend on: Renal function Vasopressin/ADH (anti-diuretic hormone) Gut (main role of the colon) Redistribution
Sodium balance are determined by what? (w/water)
Intake
- Dietary (unless vegan and doesn’t add salt)
- Western diet 100-200 mmol/day
Output
- Obligatory losses
Skin
- Controlled losses – these depend on: Kidneys Aldosterone GFR Gut - most sodium is reabsorbed; loss is pathological
Determined by intravascular volume
Hormones involved in water and salt balance for sodium
Aldosterone produced in the adrenal cortex: regulates sodium and potassium homeostasis
Natriuretic hormones (ANP cardiac atria, BNP cardiac ventricles) promote sodium excretion and decrease blood pressure
Hormones involved in water and salt balance for sodium for just water
ADH/vasopressin: synthesised in hypothalamus and stored in posterior pituitary. Release causes increase in water absorption in collecting ducts
Aquaporins (AQP1 proximal tubule and not under control of ADP) AQP2 and 3 present in collecting duct and under control of ADH
Effect of osmotically active substances in blood
Osmotically active substances in the blood may result in water redistribution to maintain osmotic balance but cause changes in other measured solutes
Define osmometer and its action
An osmometer is a device for measuring the osmotic strength of a solution, colloid, or compound.
Freezing point depression
Uses colligative properties of a solution
More solute – lower the freezing point
List methods for analysing sodium
Indirect Ion selective electrodes (main lab analysers)
Direct Ion selective electrodes (Blood gas analyser)
How to assess a patient with possible fluid/electrolyte disturbance using history
History
=
Fluid intake / output
Vomiting/diarrhoea
Past history
Medication
How to assess a patient with possible fluid/electrolyte disturbance using examination
Examination - Assess volume status
=
Lying and standing BP Pulse Oedema Skin turgor/Tongue JVP / CVP
How to assess a patient with possible fluid/electrolyte disturbance using examination apart from history + examination
Fluid chart
Action at DCT
Sodium reabsorption
Loss of H+/K+
By-prod of ATP prod
Large amounts of protons/hydrogen ions are an inevitable by-product of energy/ATP production
Maintenance of extracellular [H+]/pH depends on what ?
depends on the relative balance between acid production and excretion
carbon dioxide production and excretion (respiration)
hydrogen ion production and excretion (renal)
maintain protein/enzyme function
Effect of decreased buffering
Decr. Buffering – consumption of HCO3
= Removal of CO2
Define metabolic acidosis
Metabolic acidosis (rate of H+ generation > excretion)
Effect of increased renal excretion
🡩 renal excretion of H+ & regeneration of HCO3
=
🡩retention of CO2
(H20 + CO2 ⮀ H2CO3)
pH equation in terms of HCO3 and CO2
pH = HCO3/CO2
Describe attempt to return acid / base status to normal by buffering
Bicarbonate buffer in serum, phosphate in urine (for excretion)
Skeleton
Intracellular accumulation/loss of H+ ions in exchange for K+ , proteins and phosphate act as buffers
Describe attempt to return acid / base status to normal by compensation
Diametric opposite of original abnormality
Never overcompensates
Delayed and limited
Describe attempt to return acid / base status to normal by treatment
By reversal of precipitating situation
Describe the speed of respiratory compensation with an example
Respiratory compensation for a primary metabolic disturbance can occur very rapidly Kussmaul breathing (respiratory alkalosis) in response to DKA
Describe the speed of metabolic compensation + its requirements
Metabolic compensation for primary respiratory abnormalities take 36-72 hours to occur
=
requires enzyme induction from increased genetic transcription and translation etc
Requires more chronic scenario to include compensation mechanism
When is compensation absent
No compensation seen in acute respiratory acidosis such as asthma