Fluid & Electrolyte, & Acid-base Balance

A collection of flashcards on key terms and concepts related to fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance.

Electrolytes

Substances that carry electrical charge when dissolved in fluid.

Acids

Substances that release hydrogen ions into fluid.

Bases

Substances that bind with hydrogen ions.

Osmosis

Movement of water through a semipermeable membrane.

Filtration

Movement of fluid according to pressure differences.

Active Transport

Mechanism requiring ATP to move substances across a membrane against concentration gradient.

Hypovolemia

Low volume of extracellular fluid.

Hypervolemia

High volume of water in the intravascular fluid compartment.

Third-spacing

Translocation of fluid from intravascular to tissue compartments.

Hyponatremia

Serum sodium level below 135 mEq/L.

Hypernatremia

Serum sodium level above 145 mEq/L.

Hypokalemia

Potassium level below 3.5 mEq/L.

Hyperkalemia

Potassium level above 5.5 mEq/L.

Hypocalcemia

Calcium level below 8.8 mg/dL.

Hypercalcemia

Calcium level above 10 mg/dL.

Hypomagnesemia

Magnesium level below 1.3 mEq/L.

Hypermagnesemia

Magnesium level above 2.1 mEq/L.

Acidosis

Excessive accumulation of acids or excessive loss of bicarbonate.

Alkalosis

Excessive accumulation of bases or loss of acids.

pH normal range

7.35 to 7.45.

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

System responsible for increasing blood pressure and volume.

Natriuretic peptides

Hormones that promote increased urine production.

Kussmaul breathing

Deep and rapid breathing pattern typically seen in metabolic acidosis.