Nursing Study Guide: Fluids, Electrolytes, Elimination, Nutrition, and Older Adult Care

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fluids, electrolytes, hospital diets, parenteral nutrition, urinary and bowel elimination, and geriatric concepts based on the course study guide.

Third-Space Shift

The movement of fluid out of the vascular space into a nonfunctional physiological compartment (such as edema or ascites), which can cause a patient to appear fluid-overloaded while remaining intravascularly hypovolemic.

Crystalloids

Solutes that dissolve quickly in solution, categorized based on osmolality as hypotonic, isotonic, or hypertonic.

Colloids

Intravenous fluids containing larger particles (such as albumin) that do not readily dissolve or leave the intravascular space, thereby pulling and holding fluid inside the vessels.

Hemoconcentration

An increased concentration of blood constituents resulting from fluid volume deficit, characterized by elevated hematocrit, elevated $BUN$, and elevated urine specific gravity.

Hemodilution

A decreased concentration of blood constituents resulting from fluid volume excess, characterized by decreased hematocrit and decreased $BUN$.

Trousseau's Sign

A carpopedal spasm of the hand elicited by inflating a blood pressure cuff above systolic pressure for several minutes; an assessment finding characteristic of hypocalcemia.

Chvostek's Sign

A facial muscle spasm or twitch elicited by lightly tapping the cheek over the facial nerve; an assessment finding characteristic of hypocalcemia.

0.9% Normal Saline (NS)

An isotonic intravenous solution ($308\text{ mOsm}$) that expands plasma volume, replaces sodium, serves as the first choice for hypotension from hypovolemia, and is the only IV fluid compatible with blood transfusions.

0.45% Saline (1/2 NS)

A hypotonic intravenous solution ($154\text{ mOsm}$) that raises total fluid volume, provides daily maintenance for dehydration, helps establish renal function, and is appropriate for diabetic patients requiring fluids without added dextrose.

Lactated Ringer's (LR)

An isotonic intravenous solution ($275\text{ mOsm}$) containing normal saline with potassium, calcium, and a lactate buffer; commonly administered post-surgery to replace fluids and buffer serum $pH$.

D5W

An intravenous solution that is isotonic in the bag ($260\text{ mOsm}$) but becomes physiologically hypotonic in the body as dextrose is rapidly metabolized, providing approximately $170\text{--}200\text{ kcal/1,000 mL}$ and free water.

Clear Liquid Diet

A short-term hospital diet restricted to transparent liquids you can see through, including broth, gelatin, clear fruit juices, tea, and popsicles.

Full Liquid Diet

A hospital diet consisting of all clear liquids in addition to opaque and milk-based liquids, such as milk, pudding, ice cream, and strained soups.

ADA Diet

A carbohydrate-controlled dietary plan based on total caloric limits and carbohydrate counting, typically structured around $45\text{--}60\text{ g}$ of carbohydrates per meal.

Cardiac Diet

A therapeutic dietary plan featuring limited total fat ($<30\%$ of daily calories), limited saturated fat ($<7\%$ of daily calories), and restricted sodium.

Renal Diet

A therapeutic dietary plan characterized by low protein, high carbohydrates, restricted sodium, restricted potassium, and strictly controlled fluid intake.

Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)

A hypertonic, highly concentrated nutritional solution administered strictly via a central venous catheter to bypass the gastrointestinal tract; requires blood glucose checks approximately every $6\text{ hours}$ and gradual rate initiation and tapering.

Peripheral Parenteral Nutrition (PPN)

A less concentrated parenteral solution administered via a peripheral vein to deliver supplemental nutrition and lipids, indicated to prevent rather than fully correct nutritional deficits.

Anuria

The clinical condition of producing essentially no urine output, quantified as less than $100\text{ mL/day}$.

Oliguria

A state of abnormally low urine output, defined as less than $400\text{ mL/day}$ or less than $30\text{ mL/hr}$.

Polyuria

The excessive production and excretion of urine.

Nocturia

The need to awaken during the night to urinate.

Dysuria

Difficult or painful urination.

Urinary Retention

An inability to empty the bladder completely, wherein urine is produced by the kidneys and fills the bladder but cannot be voided.

Urinary Suppression

A cessation of urine formation by the kidneys, resulting in no urine entering the bladder.

Micturition

The physiological process of voiding or emptying the urinary bladder.

Stress Incontinence

Involuntary loss of small amounts of urine caused by sudden increases in intra-abdominal pressure during activities such as coughing, laughing, sneezing, or lifting.

Urge Incontinence

Involuntary urine leakage that occurs immediately following an abrupt, intense, and uncontrollable need to void.

Overflow Incontinence

Involuntary loss of urine associated with bladder over-distention and incomplete bladder emptying.

Functional Incontinence

Loss of urine caused by factors outside the urinary tract that prevent timely toileting, such as physical mobility limitations or cognitive deficits.

Reflex Incontinence

Involuntary emptying of the bladder occurring at predictable intervals without sensory awareness or the perceived urge to void.

Fecal Impaction

A collection of hardened, putty-like feces lodged in the rectum that cannot be passed, characteristically presenting as liquid stool seepage with no normal formed bowel movements.

Eructation

The act of belching or expelling gas orally from the stomach.

Stoma

A surgically created opening of an internal organ onto the external surface of the body.

Gerontology

The scientific, multidisciplinary study of the biological, psychological, and social processes of aging.

Presbyopia

An age-related loss of accommodation in the eye resulting in decreased ability to focus on near objects, accompanied by increased glare intolerance and impaired light adaptation.

Presbycusis

A progressive, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss occurring with aging that primarily impairs the ability to hear high-pitched sounds.

Delirium

An acute, fluctuating, and usually reversible state of cognitive confusion marked by disorientation that requires prompt medical evaluation to resolve the underlying cause and prevent brain damage.

Dementia

A gradual, progressive, and irreversible decline in intellectual function, reasoning, memory, and the capacity to carry out basic activities of daily living.

Cascade Iatrogenesis

A sequential chain of adverse medical events initiated when a medication side effect is misinterpreted as a new ailment and treated with additional pharmacotherapy, exacerbating patient decline.

Age-Friendly Health Systems (4Ms)

An evidence-based care model organizing older adult healthcare around four core domains: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility.