Fluid and Electrolyte Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering fluid compartments, movement processes, assessment diagnostics, electrolyte imbalances, and acid-base balance principles based on the lecture notes.

Osmosis

The movement of fluid from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration across a semipermeable membrane.

Diffusion

The movement of a substance from an area of higher concentration to one of lower concentration.

Active Transport

A physiologic pump that moves fluid from an area of lower concentration to one of higher concentration against a concentration gradient, requiring adenosine (ATP) for energy.

Intracellular Space (ICF)

The fluid compartment located inside the cells.

Extracellular Space (ECF)

The fluid compartment located outside the cells, divided into intravascular, interstitial, and transcellular spaces.

Intravascular Space

Fluid within the blood vessels, which contains plasma and represents the circulating blood volume.

Interstitial Space

Fluid that surrounds the cell, totaling about $11-12L$, including lymph.

Transcellular Space

Examples of this fluid include cerebrospinal, pericardial, synovial, intraocular, pleural fluids, sweat, and digestive secretions.

Hydrostatic Pressure

The pressure exerted on the walls of blood vessels.

Osmotic Pressure

The pressure exerted by protein in plasma.

First Spacing

The normal distribution of fluid in the intracellular and extracellular compartments.

Second Spacing

The abnormal accumulation of interstitial fluid, such as edema.

Third Spacing

The loss of ECF into a space that does not contribute to equilibrium, such as the transcellular space, where the fluid is trapped and useless.

Serum Osmolality

A laboratory test for evaluating fluid status with a normal range of $275-295\,mOsm/kg$.

Urine Specific Gravity

A laboratory test measuring the concentration of urine with a normal range of $1.005-1.030$.

BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)

A laboratory test for evaluating fluid status with a normal range of $8-20\,mg/dL$.

Creatinine

A laboratory test for evaluating fluid status with a normal range of $0.7$ to $1.3\,mg/dL$.

Fluid Volume Deficit (FVD)

Also known as hypovolemia, this occurs when the loss of extracellular fluid exceeds the intake of fluid, resulting in the loss of both water and electrolytes.

Hypovolemic Shock

A potentially life-threatening condition resulting in inadequate tissue perfusion and possible organ failure after the loss of $20\%$ of intravascular blood, plasma, or fluids.

Fluid Volume Excess (FVE)

Also known as hypervolemia, this occurs when there is an expansion of the ECF caused by abnormal retention of water and sodium.

Hyponatremia

A state when sodium concentration in the plasma is lower than normal, defined as a level $< 135\,mEq/L$.

Hypernatremia

An elevated sodium level in the plasma, defined as a level $> 145\,mEq/L$, often characterized by flushing, agitation, low-grade fever, and thirst (SALT).

Hypokalemia

A potassium level $< 3.5\,mEq/L$, which can cause skeletal muscle weakness, U waves on an ECG, and arrhythmias.

Hyperkalemia

A potassium level $> 5\,mEq/L$, often resulting from kidney dysfunction and characterized by tall peaked T waves and ST depression on an ECG.

Hypocalcemia

A calcium level $< 8.8\,mg/dL$, commonly causing tetany and positive Chvostek and Trousseau signs.

Hypercalcemia

A calcium level $> 10.4\,mg/dL$, most commonly caused by malignant tumors or hyperparathyroidism.

Trousseau's Sign

A sign of hypocalcemia characterized by carpal spasm induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff.

Chvostek's Sign

A sign of hypocalcemia or hyperphosphatemia characterized by facial twitching when the facial nerve is tapped.

Hypomagnesemia

A magnesium level $< 1.5\,mg/dL$, frequently associated with hypokalemia and hypocalcemia.

Hypermagnesemia

A magnesium level exceeding $2.4\,mg/dL$, most commonly caused by Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

Hypophosphatemia

A phosphorus level $< 3\,mg/dL$, essential for muscle and RBC function, often prominent in renal clients or those with malnutrition.

Hyperphosphatemia

A phosphate level exceeding $4.5\,mg/dL$, usually related to the kidneys' inability to excrete excess phosphorus.

Hypochloremia

A chloride level $< 98\,mEq/L$, often caused by the loss of hydrochloric acid through vomiting or gastric suctioning.

Hyperchloremia

A chloride level $> 106\,mEq/L$, accompanied by sodium and water retention.

Metabolic Acidosis

An acid-base imbalance characterized by a low pH ($< 7.35$) and a low bicarbonate level ($< 22\,mEq/L$), most commonly due to renal failure.

Metabolic Alkalosis

An acid-base imbalance characterized by a high pH ($> 7.45$) and a high bicarbonate level ($> 26\,mEq/L$), most commonly due to vomiting or gastric suction.

Respiratory Acidosis

An acid-base imbalance characterized by a low pH ($< 7.35$) and a $PaCO_2 > 45\,mmHg$, always due to a respiratory problem with inadequate excretion of $CO_2$.

Respiratory Alkalosis

An acid-base imbalance characterized by a high pH ($> 7.45$) and a $PaCO_2 < 35\,mmHg$, always due to hyperventilation.