Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance.

Fluid Balance

The daily balance between the amount of water gained and lost to the environment.

Electrolyte Balance

When gains and losses for every electrolyte are in balance.

Acid-Base Balance

The precise balance between the production and loss of hydrogen ions (H+).

Extracellular Fluid (ECF)

Fluid found outside of cells, essential for maintaining physiological functions.

Intracellular Fluid (ICF)

Fluid contained within cells, necessary for cellular operations.

Water Gain Sources

Primary sources of water gain include drinking, eating, and metabolic generation.

Water Loss Routes

Primary route of water loss is through the urinary system.

Osmotic Concentration

The measure of solute concentration in a solution that can affect fluid movement.

Hydrostatic Pressure

The force that pushes water out of plasma into interstitial fluid.

Colloid Osmotic Pressure

The force that draws water back into plasma from interstitial fluid.

Edema

Swelling caused by the movement of abnormal amounts of water from plasma into interstitial fluid.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution that has a higher concentration of solutes than another, causing water to move out of cells.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution with a lower concentration of solutes than another, causing water to move into cells.

Dehydration

A state that occurs when water losses exceed gains.

Severe Water Loss Causes

Includes excessive perspiration, inadequate water consumption, repeated vomiting, and diarrhea.

Fluid Shifts

Rapid water movements between ECF and ICF in response to osmotic gradients.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Hormone that stimulates water conservation at the kidneys.

Aldosterone

Hormone that regulates sodium and potassium levels, promoting Na+ reabsorption and K+ loss.

Natriuretic Peptides

Hormones released by cardiac muscle cells that reduce thirst and promote fluid loss.

Sodium (Na+)

The dominant cation in ECF, important for maintaining osmotic concentration.

Potassium (K+)

The dominant cation in ICF, essential for cell function and metabolism.

Calcium (Ca2+)

The most abundant mineral in the body, vital for muscle and neural function.

pH

A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution.

Acidosis

A physiological state resulting from abnormally low blood pH.

Alkalosis

A physiological state resulting from abnormally high blood pH.

Fixed Acids

Acids that do not leave solution and remain until eliminated by kidneys.

Volatile Acids

Acids that can leave the body by diffusing into the atmosphere at the lungs.

Carbonic Anhydrase

An enzyme that catalyzes the formation of carbonic acid from carbon dioxide and water.

Buffer

Dissolved compounds that stabilize pH of solution by adding or removing H+.

Phosphate Buffer System

A buffer system consisting of H2PO4− (a weak acid) and HPO4²− (its anion).

Protein Buffer Systems

Buffer systems relying on amino acids to respond to pH changes.

Hemoglobin Buffer System

Intracellular buffer system that stabilizes pH by exchanging ions in red blood cells.

Carbonic Acid–Bicarbonate Buffer System

A buffer system involving carbonic acid and its dissociation products, maintaining blood pH.

Renal Compensation

Changes in kidney activity to regulate pH by secreting or reabsorbing H+ and HCO3−.

Respiratory Compensation

Change in respiratory rate to help stabilize pH of ECF.

Hyponatremia

A condition characterized by low sodium concentrations in ECF.

Hypernatremia

A condition characterized by high sodium concentrations in ECF.

Hypokalemia

A deficiency of potassium in the bloodstream.

Hyperkalemia

An elevated level of potassium in the bloodstream.

Hypocalcemia

A low concentration of calcium in the bloodstream.

Hypercalcemia

An elevated concentration of calcium in the bloodstream.

Chloride Balance

Regulation of chloride ions which are the most abundant anions in ECF.

Magnesium Balance

Maintenance of magnesium levels which are primarily in ICF and required for enzymatic reactions.

Phosphate Balance

Regulation of phosphate ions, necessary for bone mineralization and cellular metabolism.

Fluid Compartments

Different areas of body fluids, such as ECF and ICF, that behave as distinct entities.

Acid-Base Homeostasis

The regulatory processes maintaining pH within the narrow limits of 7.35 to 7.45.

Hydrogen Ions (H+)

Ions gained at the digestive tract and eliminated at the kidneys and lungs.

Diuresis

Fluid loss by kidneys caused by natriuretic peptides.

Buffering Capacity

The ability of buffer systems to stabilize pH levels in body fluids.

Hydration Status

The state of body's water content, influenced by total water gains and losses.

Ion Exchange

The movement of ions between ICF and ECF via passive transport mechanisms.

Digestive System Contribution

The system primarily responsible for water gains in the body.

Urinary System Contribution

The system that serves as the primary route of water loss from the body.

ECF Composition

Primarily sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate ions found in extracellular fluid.

ICF Composition

Primarily potassium, magnesium, and phosphate ions found in intracellular fluid.

Acid Production Sources

Acids generated in the body during metabolic activities.

Acid-Base Buffers

Compounds that help stabilize pH by neutralizing excess acids or bases.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

A gas produced in metabolic processes that influences blood pH.