Urinary Elimination and Fluid Balance

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to urinary elimination and fluid balance for exam preparation.

Urinary elimination

The process of removing waste and excess fluid through urine.

Anuria

No urine output; life-threatening condition.

Oliguria

Low urine output.

Polyuria

Excessive urine output.

Dysuria

Painful urination.

Nocturia

Urination at night.

Glycosuria

Presence of glucose in urine.

Proteinuria

Presence of protein in urine.

Pyuria

Presence of pus (WBCs) in urine, indicating infection.

Urinary incontinence

Loss of bladder control.

Urinary retention

Inability to empty the bladder completely.

Micturition

Act of urination.

Detrusor muscle

Muscle that contracts to release urine.

Neurogenic bladder

A condition where neurological pathways are impaired, leading to retention or incontinence.

Diuretics

Medications that increase urine output.

Cholinergic medications

Stimulate detrusor muscle contraction to help with urinary retention.

Anticoagulants

Medications that can cause red urine (hematuria).

Dysuria

Painful urination.

Proteinuria

Presence of protein in urine.

Urinalysis (UA)

A test that checks for protein, blood, glucose, and other substances in urine.

Specific gravity

A measure of urine concentration.

Hypovolemia

Condition of low fluid volume.

Hypervolemia

Condition of high fluid volume.

Third spacing

Fluid accumulation in areas where it should not be, causing functional fluid loss.

Electrolytes

Chemicals that send signals to organs, crucial for functions like muscle contraction and fluid balance.

ADH (Antidiuretic Hormone)

Hormone that regulates water retention in the body.

Edema

Fluid accumulation in tissues, a form of third spacing.

Osmosis

Movement of water from an area of low solute concentration to high solute concentration.

Hypokalemia

Low potassium in the blood, causing cardiac irritability.

Hyperkalemia

High potassium in the blood, causing cardiac suppression.

Calcium

Mineral important for muscle contraction and stabilization of the heart.

Phosphorus

Mineral involved in bone formation and energy production (ATP).