Unit 4 Practice Flashcards
What substance increases H+ concentration?
Acids
What substance decreases H+ concentration?
Base
Blood is slightly… at pH 7.35 to 7.45
Alkaline
Blood pH less than 7.35 is…
acidosis; caused by too many hydrogen ions or too little bicarbonate
Blood pH greater than 7.45 is…
alkalosis; caused by too little hydrogen ions or too much bicarbonate
Which three mechanisms regulate acid-base balance?
the buffer system, respiratory system, and renal system
The primary regulator of acid-base balance
Buffers
How do buffers neutralize acids?
buffers act chemically to change strong acids to weak acids or bind acids to neutralize them
Which systems are required for the buffer system to function adequately?
- Nervous System
- Hepatic System
- Respiratory System
- Endocrine System
- Renal System
- Muscular System
respiratory and renal systems must be functioning adequately
RATIONALE: Respiration rate determines the level of CO2 in the blood. Increased respirations lead to increased CO2 elimination, decreasing CO2 in blood. Decreased respirations do the reverse leading to CO2 retention. Kidneys conserve bicarbonate and excrete some acid. Cellular metabolism produces acids (carbonic and metabolic); lungs excrete carbonic acids; kidneys excrete metabolic acids.
How do carbonic acid (H2CO3) and bicarbonate (HCO3-) work on each other?
a strong acid + a strong base are broken down into salt and weak acid
How do the kidneys regulate acid-base balance?
the kidneys conserve bicarbonate and excrete some acid
what are the three mechanisms for acid excretion?
secrete free hydrogen, combine H+ with ammonia (NH3), excrete weak acids
What information can be observed through arterial blood gas (ABG) values?
acid-base statues, underlying cause of imbalance, body’s ability to regulate pH, shows the PaO2 (partial pressure of arterial O2) and O2 saturation
R.O.M.E
Respiratory Opposite:
- Alkalosis: ↑ pH ↓ PaCO2
- Acidosis: ↓ pH ↑ PaCO2
Metabolic Equal:
- Alkalosis: ↓ pH ↓ HCO3−
- Acidosis: ↓ pH ↓ HCO3−
Organs involved in bowel elimination
colon, rectum, anus, peristalsis, sphincter, gastrocolic reflex
Organs involved in urinary elimination
bladder, urethra, internal/external sphincter
What are the functions of the kidney? Mnemonic: “A WET BED”
A: Acid-base balance
W: Water balance
E: Electrolyte balance
T: Toxin removal
B: Blood pressure control
E: Erythropoietin
D: vitamin D metabolism
What are the individual risk factors of impaired fluid and electrolyte imbalance?
All individuals are at risk, regardless of age, race, or socioeconomic status
Who has the GREATEST risk of fluid and electrolyte imbalance?
the very young and very old
What are the FOUR greatest physiological risk factors that are associated with fluid and electrolyte imbalance?
Excessive production or intake of metabolic acid
Altered acid buffering due to loss or gain of bicarbonate
Altered acid excretion
Abnormal shift of H+ into cellsW
Why are the very young at risk of fluid and electrolyte imbalance?
immature kidneys, high metabolic rate, large body surface area (means that body & lungs greater in size than their body mass) , and increased respiratory rate, high % of body weight is water
Why are the very old at risk of fluid and electrolyte imbalance?
impaired renal function, decreased thirst, and impaired ability to conserve water
What are the signs and symptoms of fluid overload (edema)?
weight gain of 1kg or more in 24 hours for an adult, distended neck when upright (vascular fluid overload), and dependent edema (interstitial fluid overload).
What are the signs and symptoms of fluid deficiency (dehydration)?
weight loss of 1kg or more in 24 hours for an adult, rapid thready pulse, postural hypotension, and flat neck veins when supine (vascular fluid underload), skin testing (interstitial fluid underload), and decreased level of consciousness caused by osmotic shift of water OUT of brain cells
What are the fluid compartments?
Intracellular fluid (ICF): fluid inside cells
Extracellular fluid (ECF): - fluid outside cells
Interstitial: - fluid between the cells
ECF main components:
Interstitial fluid: -fluid in spaces between cells
Intravascular fluid: - extracellular fluid in the vascular space called PLASMA
Transcellular: - cerebrospinal fluid; fluid in GI and joint spaces; pleural, peritoneal, pericardial, and intraocular fluid
What are the primary prevention methods of fluid and electrolyte imbalance?
Patient teaching, Dietary measures, Fluid
management: adequate intake with vomiting or diarrhea; limiting intake
when prone to edema
What are the secondary prevention methods of fluid and electrolyte imbalance?
Screening for fluid and electrolyte imbalance is NOT routine for the general population. Monitoring serum blood levels may be performed as part of disease management.
Why does a nurse monitor for fluid volume deficit in a patient with prolonged vomiting?
- Fluid movement from the cells into the interstitial space and the blood vessels
- Excretion of large amounts of interstitial fluid with depletion of extracellular fluids
- An overload of extracellular fluid with a significant increase in intracellular fluid volume
- Fluid movement from the vascular system into the cells, causing cellular
swelling and rupture.
What is the purpose of fluid and electrolyte balance?
to regulate the body fluid volume, osmolality, and composition
What is the process of fluid and electrolyte balance?
filtration, diffusion, osmosis (water movement across a semipermeable membrane), and selective excretion
What is hypokalemia?
low serum potassium
What is hyperkalemia?
high serum potassium
What is hyponatremia and hypernatremia?
low serum sodium & high serum sodium
S.A.L.T L.O.S.S. (SSO hyponatremia)
S- seizures & stupor
A- Abdominal cramping
L- Lethargic
T- Tendon reflexes diminished; Trouble concentrating
L- Loss of urine & appetite
O- Orthostatic hypotension; Overactive bowel sounds
S- Shallow respirations
S- Spasms of muscles
No F.R.I.E.D Foods for You (SSO hypernatremia)
F- Fatigue
R- Restless; really agitated
I- Increased reflexes (seizure/coma)
E- Extreme thirst (!!!)
D- Decreased urine output, dry mouth/skin
Which bodily process imbalance would the nurse expect for a patient with:
- Acute illness (vomiting, diarrhea)
- Severe burns
- Serious kidney injury or trauma
- Chronic kidney disease
- Major surgery
- Poor nutritional intake
fluid and electrolyte imbalance
What are the physiological consequences of fluid volume defecit?
fluid volume deficit leads to poor perfusion and oxygen delivery throughout the body; decreased blood volume = hypotension and tachycardia
What are the physiological consequences of fluid volume excess?
increased blood volume and hypertension leading to edema
What is glucose regulation achieved through?
a delicate balance between: nutrient intake, hormonal signaling, and glucose uptake by the cell
What is the scope of glucose regulation?
normal or optimal regulation to impaired regulation throughout the lifespan
What are the normal range of blood glucose levels?
Fasting state: 70-99 mg/dL
2 hours post-prandial state: 100-140 mg/dL
hypo-, eu-, and hyperglycemia
hypoglycemia: low concentration of BG
euglycemia: normal concentration of BG
hyperglycemia: high concentration of BG
What is the range of hyperglycemia?
Fasting state: >100 mg/dL
Post-prandial: BG of >140 mg/dL
Severe: >180 mg/dL
What is the range of hypoglycemia?
Post-prandial: BG of <70 mg/dL
Severe: >50 mg/dL
What are the counter-regulatory hormones? What is their purpose?
Glucagon, cortisol, growth hormone, norepinephrine, and epinephrine (aka the stress hormones)
They are released in response to cellular deficiency of glucose. Suppress insulin release; stimulate hepatic glucose production (from glycogen); elevating BG levels.
What are the signs and symptoms of HYPERglycemia?
3 P’s: Polyphagia, Polyuria, Polydipsia (S/S OF KETOACIDOSIS)
Skin: Hot & DRY - Sugar’s HIGH
dehydration, fruity odor breath, Kussmaul breathing (deep & fast), slow/poor wound healing, fatigue, weight loss, hunger
What are the signs and symptoms of HYPOglycemia?
Skin: Cold & Clammy - need some CANDY
diaphoresis, tremors, headache, fatigue & weakness, confusion, irritability, seizure, coma, hunger
What is the only hormone produced that lowers elevated BG levels after carbohydrate intake?
Insulin