Electrolytes, body fluids, and IV solutions

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms related to electrolytes, body fluids, and IV solutions from the lecture notes.

Strong electrolyte

A substance that completely dissociates into ions in water, producing strong electrical conduction.

Weak electrolyte

A substance that partially dissociates in water, producing weaker electrical conduction.

Nonelectrolyte

A substance that does not produce ions in solution and therefore does not conduct electricity.

Dissociate (dissociation)

To separate into ions in solution; electrolytes split into ions when dissolved.

Electrolyte

A substance that conducts electricity when dissolved or melted due to mobile ions.

Intracellular fluid

Fluid located inside cells; over 50% of body water is in this compartment.

Extracellular fluid

Fluid outside cells; includes interstitial fluid and blood plasma.

Interstitial fluid

Extracellular fluid in the tissue spaces between cells.

Blood plasma

Liquid component of blood that carries cells and electrolytes.

Sodium (Na+)

Major extracellular cation; helps regulate fluid balance; hyponatremia = low blood sodium.

Potassium (K+)

Major intracellular cation; essential for nerve and muscle function; hypokalemia = low potassium.

Calcium (Ca2+)

Important for bones and muscle contraction; also involved in blood clotting and signaling.

Magnesium (Mg2+)

Important for muscle contraction and several enzymes, especially cardiac muscle.

Chloride (Cl-)

Major extracellular anion that helps maintain fluid balance.

Sodium chloride (NaCl)

Common salt; used in IV fluids; 0.9% saline is isotonic with blood.

Isotonic solution

A solution with the same osmolarity as blood plasma; maintains volume without net water movement.

Hypotonic solution

A solution with lower osmolarity than plasma; can cause cells to swell.

Hypertonic solution

A solution with higher osmolarity than plasma; can cause cells to shrink.

0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline)

Isotonic IV fluid that matches blood osmolarity and is used to restore volume.

0.45% sodium chloride (half-normal saline)

Hypotonic saline; lower osmolarity than blood; used for rehydration with caution to avoid imbalances.

Dextrose (glucose) solution

Sugar solution used in IV fluids; provides energy but does not supply electrolytes by itself.

Lactated Ringer's solution

Balanced electrolyte IV fluid containing multiple ions and lactate; often used to replenish fluids and electrolytes.

Parenteral solution

Solutions delivered by injection (IV) that bypass the digestive tract.

Intravenous (IV)

Administration of fluids directly into a vein.

Milliequivalents (mEq)

A unit expressing electrolyte quantity in fluids, reflecting ion charge and concentration.

Sodium potassium pump (Na+/K+ pump)

Membrane pump that maintains ion gradients by moving Na+ out and K+ in; essential for nerve and muscle function.

Hyponatremia

Low blood sodium concentration.

Hypokalemia

Low potassium concentration in the blood.