Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Imbalances (Chapter 2)

100 vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Imbalances (Chapter 2).

Aldosterone

A mineralocorticoid hormone that increases sodium and water reabsorption in kidney tubules to conserve fluid.

Anion

Negatively charged ion found in body fluids; balances cations to maintain electrical neutrality.

Anorexia

Loss of appetite, noted among key terms in fluid/electrolyte topics.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Hormone that promotes water reabsorption in the kidneys, reducing urine output.

Ascites

Fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity, often due to edema and hypoalbuminemia.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)

Hormone released by the atria in response to high blood volume; promotes sodium and water excretion.

Capillary permeability

Ability of capillary walls to allow fluids and solutes to pass between vessels and tissues.

Carpopedal spasm

Spasm of hand/foot muscles commonly seen with hypocalcemia (tetany).

Cation

Positively charged ion in body fluids.

Diffusion

Movement of particles from an area of high concentration to low concentration.

Diuretic

Drug that increases urine production to remove excess fluid/electrolytes.

Dysrhythmia

Abnormal heart rhythm.

Edema

Excess fluid accumulation in the interstitial space causing swelling.

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Record of the heart’s electrical activity used to detect dysrhythmias.

Extracellular fluid (ECF)

Fluid outside cells, including plasma, interstitial fluid, CSF, and transcellular fluids.

Filtration

Movement of water and solutes from blood to interstitial space due to hydrostatic pressure.

Hydrogen ions (H+)

Protons that determine acidity (pH) of body fluids.

Hydrostatic pressure

Push force of fluid in vessels that drives filtration out of capillaries.

Hypertonic/hyperosmolar

Solutions with higher osmolarity than plasma, drawing water out of cells.

Hypervolemia

Excess fluid volume, typically in the extracellular compartment.

Hypomagnesemia

Low serum magnesium.

Hypothalamus

Brain region containing osmoreceptors that regulate thirst and ADH release.

Hypotonic/hypoosmolar

Solutions with lower osmolarity than plasma, causing water to move into cells.

Hypovolemia

Decreased circulating blood volume.

Interstitial fluid

Fluid in the tissue spaces; part of the extracellular compartment.

Intracellular fluid

Fluid contained within cells.

Intravascular fluid

Fluid within blood vessels (plasma).

Isotonic/isoosmOLAR

Fluid with the same osmolarity as plasma; no net water movement.

Laryngospasm

Spasm of the laryngeal muscles, risk in severe hypocalcemia.

Milliequivalent (mEq)

Unit of electrolyte concentration used in clinical labs.

Nonvolatile metabolic acids

Metabolic acids (e.g., lactic acid, ketoacids) not expelled as CO2.

Osmoreceptor

Hypothalamic receptors that detect osmolarity and regulate thirst/ADH.

Osmosis

Movement of water across a semipermeable membrane toward higher solute concentration.

Osmotic pressure

Pressure generated by solutes that draws water toward them.

Paresthesias

Abnormal sensations such as tingling or pins and needles.

Skin turgor

Elasticity of the skin; a clinical sign of dehydration.

Tetany

Involuntary muscle contractions from electrolyte disturbances (often hypocalcemia).

Transcellular fluid

Fluid in specialized compartments (CSF, synovial, pericardial, etc.).

Third-spacing

Fluid moves from the vascular space into a body space where it is not circulating (e.g., edema, ascites).

Edema (pathophysiology: increased capillary hydrostatic pressure)

Edema caused by higher capillary hydrostatic pressure that pushes fluid into the interstitial space.

Edema (pathophysiology: decreased plasma osmotic pressure)

Edema due to low plasma proteins (e.g., hypoalbuminemia) reducing oncotic pull.

Edema (pathophysiology: lymphatic obstruction)

Edema from blocked lymphatic drainage preventing return of fluid to circulation.

Edema (pathophysiology: increased capillary permeability)

Edema from inflammatory mediators increasing capillary leak.

Dehydration

Insufficient body fluids from inadequate intake or excessive loss.

Hyponatremia

Low serum sodium level (below ~135 mEq/L).

Hypernatremia

High serum sodium level (above ~145 mEq/L).

Hypokalemia

Low serum potassium (below ~3.5 mEq/L).

Hyperkalemia

High serum potassium (above ~5 mEq/L).

Hypocalcemia

Low serum calcium (below ~2.2 mmol/L).

Hypercalcemia

High serum calcium (above ~2.5 mmol/L).

Hypomagnesemia

Low magnesium in the blood.

Hypermagnesemia

High serum magnesium, often with renal failure.

Hypophosphatemia

Low serum phosphate.

Hyperphosphatemia

High serum phosphate.

Chloride

Major extracellular anion; follows sodium and participates in acid-base balance.

Hypochloremia

Low serum chloride; often linked with metabolic alkalosis.

Hyperchloremia

High serum chloride; can contribute to edema and acidosis/alkalosis shifts.

Chloride shift

Movement of chloride and bicarbonate between red blood cells and plasma to maintain electroneutrality.

Acidosis

Abnormally low pH with increased hydrogen ions.

Alkalosis

Abnormally high pH with decreased hydrogen ions.

Bicarbonate (HCO3-)

Major base in buffering system; major component of bicarbonate-carbonic acid buffer.

Carbonic acid (H2CO3)

Weak acid formed from CO2 and water; part of the bicarbonate buffer system.

Buffer systems

Pairs (bicarbonate, phosphate, hemoglobin, proteins) that resist pH changes.

Sodium (Na+)

Major extracellular cation; maintains extracellular fluid volume and osmotic pressure; essential for nerve impulses and muscle function.

Potassium (K+)

Major intracellular cation; critical for membrane potential and cardiac function.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH)

Hormone that raises blood calcium by bone resorption, kidney reabsorption, and vitamin D activation.

Calcitonin

Hormone that lowers blood calcium by inhibiting bone resorption.

Vitamin D

Vitamin that promotes intestinal calcium and phosphate absorption; activated in kidneys.

Phosphate

Mineral important for bone, energy transfer (ATP), and acid-base buffering.

Anion gap

Difference between measured cations and anions; used to assess metabolic acidosis.

Respiratory acidosis

Acid-base disorder from CO2 retention due to hypoventilation; kidneys compensate by increasing bicarbonate.

Respiratory alkalosis

Alkalosis from excessive ventilation; kidneys compensate by reducing bicarbonate.

Metabolic acidosis

Acidosis due to loss of bicarbonate or accumulation of acids; lungs hyperventilate to compensate.

Metabolic alkalosis

Alkalosis from excess bicarbonate or loss of hydrogen ions; kidneys/respiratory compensate.

Kussmaul respiration

Deep, rapid breathing associated with metabolic acidosis as a compensatory mechanism.

Renin-angiotensin system (RAAS)

Hormonal cascade regulating blood pressure, fluid and electrolyte balance.

Lactated Ringer’s solution

Crystalloid solution containing lactate; lactate is metabolized to bicarbonate in the liver.

Osmolarity

Concentration of solute particles in a solution.

Normal serum osmolality range

Typical serum osmolality around 280-295 mOsm/kg (contextual in notes).

Buffer ratio 20:1 (bicarbonate:carbonic acid)

Ratio that helps maintain serum pH around 7.4 in the bicarbonate buffering system.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) role in homeostasis

Reduces workload on the heart by promoting diuresis and natriuresis, lowering blood volume.

Hypervolemia signs

Increased pulse pressure, edema, weight gain, hypertension (contextual signs of excess fluid).

Hypovolemia signs

Thirst, tachycardia, cool pale skin, low urine output, hypotension.

Third-spacing examples

Fluid shift into peritoneal or pleural spaces, burns, ascites, edema.

Chvostek sign

Facial muscle twitching on tapping the facial nerve; sign of hypocalcemia.

Trousseau sign

Carpopedal spasm with blood pressure cuff; sign of hypocalcemia.

Osmotic pressure

Pressure that promotes movement of water across membranes due to solute concentration.

Transcellular fluid examples

CSF, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, pericardial fluid.

Isotonic dehydration

Loss of water and electrolytes in proportion; osmolarity unchanged.

Hypotonic dehydration

Loss of more electrolytes than water; serum osmolality decreases.

Hypertonic dehydration

Loss of more water than electrolytes; serum osmolality increases.

Edema vs dehydration signs comparison

Edema: swelling, dependent areas; dehydration: dry mucous membranes, skin turgor loss.

Respiratory compensation

Lungs adjust CO2 (acid) by changing breathing rate to influence pH.

Renal compensation

Kidneys adjust bicarbonate and hydrogen ion excretion/retention to maintain pH.

Base excess

Measurement indicating excess or deficit of base in the blood (metabolic component of ABG).

Arterial blood gases (ABG)

Lab test assessing acid-base status, oxygenation, and pH balance.

pH

Measure of acidity or alkalinity of a solution; normal blood pH is ~7.35-7.45.

pH homeostasis importance

Cells function best within a narrow pH range; major enzyme activity depends on pH.

Normal pH range for blood

Approximately 7.35 to 7.45.

Lactic acid

Metabolic acid produced during anaerobic metabolism; contributes to metabolic acidosis.