Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology of Fluid Volume and Electrolyte Balance

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering terms, definitions, and concepts related to fluid volume balance, fluid shifts, renal regulation, and electrolyte imbalances from the lecture transcript.

Intracellular Fluid (ICF)

Fluid contained within a cell, comprising approximately 67% of total body water (TBW).

Extracellular Fluid (ECF)

Fluid found in the intravascular space (plasma) and interstitial space (tissues), comprising approximately 33% of total body water (TBW).

Interstitial Fluid

The fluid found in the space outside of the cells, accounting for 25% of total body water (TBW).

Intravascular Fluid

Fluid contained within the vascular system, accounting for 8% of total body water (TBW).

Solvent

A liquid that can dissolve particles of a solid.

Solutes

Particles that dissolve in a solution.

Cation

A positively charged ion.

Anion

A negatively charged ion.

Potassium

An electrolyte necessary for nerve and muscle function, especially the heart; functions as the main cation in intracellular fluid.

Sodium

An electrolyte that supports the function of nerves and muscles, maintains normal blood pressure, and regulates fluid balance within the body; major cation in extracellular fluid.

Diffusion

The movement of solutes from an area of greater solute concentration to an area of lesser solute concentration.

Osmosis

The movement of water across a permeable membrane from an area of greater water concentration to an area of lower water concentration.

Osmotic Pressure

Pressure that must be applied to a solution to stop fluid movement.

Hydrostatic Pressure

Pressure exerted by fluid in a confined space that forces molecules small enough through a permeable membrane into the interstitial fluid.

Serum Osmolality

The concentration of solutes dissolved in the serum, with an acceptable normal range of 285 to 295 mOsm/kg.

Heart Failure

A chronic condition in which the heart muscle is unable to effectively pump blood to meet the needs of the body.

Diabetes Insipidus

A disorder in which there is decreased secretion of antidiuretic hormone or an ineffective response to the hormone, leading to greatly increased urine output.

Edema

Swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in body tissues.

Fluid Volume Deficit

A state where fluid output exceeds fluid intake, resulting from a decrease in sodium and water in the ECF.

Diuretic

A medication that promotes fluid loss from the body by increasing urine output.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

A hormone that regulates fluid volume in the body, synthesized in the hypothalamus and secreted by the pituitary gland.

Hyperosmolar

A state in which the loss of water from the body causes the serum to be more concentrated.

Hypovolemia

A condition in which low extracellular fluid volume results when there is a loss of water and sodium.

Chronic Kidney Disease

A disorder characterized by gradual loss of kidney function.

Hypoperfusion

A reduced amount of blood flow to organs.

Skin Turgor

The ability of the skin to return to its previous position; a delayed return indicates dehydration.

Orthostatic Hypotension

A decrease in blood pressure associated with position changes, specifically a drop in systolic BP of at least 20 mmHg or diastolic BP of 10 mmHg within 2 to 5 minutes of standing.

Hypovolemic Shock

A condition that occurs as a result of significant blood or extracellular fluid loss.

Lactic Acidosis

A buildup of lactic acid in the blood due to increased anaerobic metabolism.

Creatinine

A serum test reflecting renal function; a byproduct of skeletal muscle contraction excreted through the urine.

Hematocrit

A measure of red blood cells in the total blood volume.

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)

A serum test that reflects renal function or hemoconcentration.

Hemoglobin

A component of red blood cells that carries oxygen and carbon dioxide to and from cells.

Hemoconcentration

An increase in the concentration of red blood cells in the plasma.

Arterial Blood Gases (ABGs)

A test that measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in blood to determine acid-base balance.

Ascites

Fluid collection within the peritoneal cavity as a result of liver disease or dysfunction.

Pulmonary Edema

A potential complication of fluid volume excess involving fluid in the interstitial spaces of the lung that causes problems with gas exchange.

Iatrogenic

Caused by a treatment, diagnostic procedure, or health care provider.

Polydipsia

Excessive intake of water resulting from an organic cause, psychological cause, or reaction to medicine.

Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP)

A hormone produced by the heart in response to stretching and contraction of the myocardium; elevated levels indicate heart failure.

Hypoxemia

A decreased concentration of oxygen in the blood.

Diaphoresis

Excessive sweating.

Diuresis

Increased or excessive excretion of urine.

Hyperglycemia

High blood glucose.

Polyuria

An excessive volume of urine excreted.

Oliguria

Urine output less than 20 mL/hr or 400 mL in a 24-hour period.

Hypernatremia

A condition in which serum sodium is greater than 145 mEq/L.

Hyponatremia

A condition occurring when serum sodium level is less than 135 mEq/L.

Third Spacing

Occurs when excessive fluid moves from the intravascular space into the interstitial space.

Osteoporosis

A disease that occurs as bone mass and bone density decrease, leading to an increased risk of fractures.

Hypokalemia

An electrolyte imbalance occurring when serum potassium is below the normal range of 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L.

Hyperkalemia

An electrolyte imbalance occurring when serum potassium level is greater than 5.0 mEq/L.

Aldosterone

A steroid hormone made by the adrenal cortex that regulates potassium excretion by the kidneys.

Alkalosis

A condition where body fluids have too much base caused by excessive bicarbonate in the blood or loss of acid.

Acidosis

A condition where body fluids have too much acid caused by overproduction of acid or loss of bicarbonate.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

A test that measures the electrical activity of the heart.

Diabetic Ketoacidosis

A complication of diabetes mellitus that occurs when the body produces high levels of ketones.

Rhabdomyolysis

A potentially life-threatening syndrome resulting from the breakdown of skeletal muscle fibers with leakage of muscle contents into the circulation.

Calcium

An electrolyte stored in bone essential for muscle contraction, blood clotting, and nerve function.

Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate

A cation exchange resin that removes excessive potassium from the body by exchanging sodium for potassium in the gastrointestinal system.

Magnesium

An electrolyte that helps regulate nerve and muscle function, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, protein synthesis, and bone health.

Myocardial Infarction

A heart attack occurring when blood flow to a part of the heart is decreased or stopped.

Tetany

Intermittent muscle spasms caused by irritability of peripheral nerves.

Chvostek's Sign

A sign indicating low calcium or magnesium levels, demonstrated by a twitch of facial muscles when the area in front of the ear is tapped.

Trousseau's Sign

A test indicating low calcium or magnesium levels, demonstrated by spasms in the wrist and hand when a blood pressure cuff is inflated above systolic blood pressure.

Hyperreflexia

Overactivity of body reflexes.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

The volume of plasma filtered by the glomeruli over a period of time.

Paresthesia

An abnormal sensation felt somewhere on the body.

Parathyroid Hormone

A hormone secreted by the parathyroid gland that regulates serum calcium concentration.

Hypocalcemia

A condition occurring when serum calcium level is less than 9.0 mg/dL.

Hypercalcemia

A condition occurring when serum calcium level is greater than 10.5 mg/dL.

Nephrolithiasis

Another term for kidney stones, which are calculi that form in the kidneys.