Fluids and Electrolytes

Flashcards for NUR 242 Unit 4: Fluids and Electrolytes, covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes.

Osmosis

The movement of fluids from a higher concentration to a lower concentration to maintain homeostasis.

Hypotonic fluid

Fewer particles to fluid.

Isotonic fluid

Equal fluid to particles.

Hypertonic fluid

More particles than fluid.

Hypervolemic fluid

More fluid to particles

Diffusion

Movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Filtration

Movement of water and solutes through a membrane from an area of high pressure to an area of low pressure.

Active Transport

Movement of ions or molecules across a cell membrane into a region of higher concentration, assisted by enzymes and requiring energy.

Major cations

Sodium (Na+), magnesium (Mg+), potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), and hydrogen (H+)

Major anions

Chloride (Cl−), bicarbonate (HCO3 −), and phosphate (PO43−).

Hyponatremia

Serum sodium level less than 135 mEq/L.

Hypernatremia

Serum sodium level greater than 145 mEq/L.

Hypokalemia

Serum potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L.

Hyperkalemia

Serum potassium level greater than 5.0 mEq/L.

Hypocalcemia

Serum calcium level below 9 mg/dL.

Hypercalcemia

Serum calcium level greater than 10.5 mg/dL.

Hypomagnesemia

Serum magnesium level below 1.3 mEq/L.

Hypermagnesemia

Serum magnesium level greater than 2.1 mEq/L.

Hypochloremia

Serum chloride level below 98 mEq/L.

Hyperchloremia

Serum chloride level greater than 106 mEq/L.

Hypophosphatemia

Serum phosphorus levels below 3 mg/dL.

Hyperphosphatemia

Serum phosphorus levels greater than 4.5 mg/dL.

Fluid volume deficit

Pinch the skin, the skin remains tented after release.

Colloids

Solutions that contain protein or starch, used to re-establish circulating volume and oncotic pressure

Crystalloids

According to tonicity into hypotonic, isotonic, and hypertonic