Fluid, Electrolytes, Acid-Base, and Clinical Practice Practice Flashcards

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering fluid and electrolyte imbalances, acid-base interpretation, infusion therapy, perioperative safety, infection control, and skin disorders based on the lecture transcript.

Hyponatremia

A condition where the serum sodium level is $< 135\,mEq/L$, leading to symptoms like acute confusion, muscle weakness, and cerebral edema.

Hypernatremia

A condition where the serum sodium level is $> 145\,mEq/L$, which can cause agitation, twitching, and blood vessel shrinking.

Hypokalemia

A serum potassium level $< 3.5\,mEq/L$, which may lead to life-threatening arrhythmias and respiratory arrest; replacement should NEVER be pushed.

Hyperkalemia

A serum potassium level $> 5.0\,mEq/L$, often resulting in ECG changes like narrow and taller T waves with a shortened QT interval.

Hypocalcemia

A calcium level imbalance $< 9.0\,mg/dL$ characterized by positive Trousseau and Chvostek signs and muscle twitching.

Hypercalcemia

A calcium level imbalance $> 10.5\,mg/dL$ that can cause increased blood clot formation, severe muscle weakness, and kidney stones.

Hypovolemia

A fluid volume deficit characterized by hypotension, tachycardia, and weak/thready peripheral pulses.

Hypervolemia

A fluid volume excess/overload characterized by increased blood pressure, jugular venous distention, and sudden weight gain.

Sensible Fluid Loss

Water loss that can be measured and controlled by the body's regulatory mechanisms, such as urine output or quantifiable wound drainage.

Insensible Fluid Loss

Fluid loss that occurs through routes without control mechanisms and cannot be easily measured, such as through the skin or lungs, normally totaling $500$ to $1000\,mL/day$.

Respiratory Acidosis

An acid-base imbalance with a $pH < 7.35$ and $PaCO_2 > 45\,mmHg$, caused by alveolar hypoventilation leading to excess $CO_2$.

Respiratory Alkalosis

An acid-base imbalance with a $pH > 7.45$ and $PaCO_2 < 35\,mmHg$, caused by alveolar hyperventilation such as deep, rapid respirations.

Metabolic Acidosis

An acid-base imbalance with a $pH < 7.35$ and $HCO_3^- < 22\,mEq/L$, often caused by diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or kidney failure.

Metabolic Alkalosis

An acid-base imbalance with a $pH > 7.45$ and $HCO_3^- > 26\,mEq/L$, resulting from things like excessive vomiting or GI suctioning.

Kussmaul respirations

Deep, rapid breathing used by the body as a respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis.

Isotonic Fluids

Fluids with an osmolarity between $270$ and $300\,mOsm/L$ that match normal serum osmolarity, such as $0.9\%\,NaCl$ (NS) or Lactated Ringers (LR).

Hypotonic Fluids

Fluids with an osmolarity $< 270\,mOsm/L$ that move water into cells to expand them, used for cellular rehydration.

Hypertonic Fluids

Fluids with an osmolarity $> 300\,mOsm/L$ that pull water out of cells and into the bloodstream, such as $3\%\,NaCl$ or TPN solutions.

Phlebitis

A complication of peripheral IV lines involving irritation of a vein characterized by local pain, redness, and swelling.

Infiltration

The leakage of non-vesicant IV fluid into the tissue around the vein, causing local swelling, cool skin, and tightness/discomfort.

Extravasation

The leakage of harsh vesicant fluid into the tissue around a vein, leading to local pain, swelling, blisters, and sores.

PICCs (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters)

Central lines $18$ to $29$ inches long inserted through the mid-upper arm with the tip residing in the superior vena cava.

Time-out

A critical safety procedure performed before surgery where personnel conduct a final assessment verifying patient identity, procedure, and surgical site.

SCIP (Surgical Care Improvement Project)

A set of core measures, such as prophylactic antibiotic timing and glucose management, used to improve surgical outcomes and reduce complications.

Malignant Hyperthermia (MH)

An inherited muscle disorder and life-threatening complication of certain general anesthesia drugs, resulting in tachycardia, muscle rigidity, and extremely elevated temperatures.

Airborne Precautions

Infection control measures for organisms suspended in air for long periods (e.g., TB, measles), requiring N95 masks, negative-airflow rooms, and HEPA filtration.

Type I Hypersensitivity

Anaphylactic/Angioedema reactions caused by excessive IgE antibody production in response to an allergen.

Type II Hypersensitivity

Cytotoxic reactions where autoantibodies are directed against self cells with attached foreign proteins, such as hemolytic transfusion reactions.

Type III Hypersensitivity

Immune complex-mediated reactions that deposit in vessel walls, causing vasculitis seen in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).

Type IV Hypersensitivity

Delayed hypersensitivity mediated by T lymphocytes rather than antibodies, typically appearing $24$ to $72$ hours after exposure.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

A chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by a malar (butterfly) rash, photosensitivity, and potential lupus nephritis.

AIDS (Stage III)

The most serious stage of HIV infection, diagnosed when a patient is HIV positive and has a CD4+ T-cell count less than $200\,cells/mm^3$.

Stage 1 Pressure Injury

Intact, nonblistered skin with nonblanchable erythema (persistent redness) that remains red when pressed lightly.

Stage 4 Pressure Injury

Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed deep structures such as fascia, muscle, tendon, ligament, cartilage, or bone.

Angiogenesis

The formation of new blood vessels during the proliferation phase of wound healing to bring nutrients and oxygen to the site.

Psoriasis

A chronic autoimmune disorder where skin cells are shed every $3$ to $4$ days (instead of $14$ to $28$ days), resulting in plaque formation with a silvery appearance.

ABCDE Mnemonic

A screening tool for melanoma where A is Asymmetry, B is Border irregularity, C is Color variation, D is Diameter, and E is Evolution/Elevation.