NR 283 Pathophysiology: Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances

Flashcards covering fluid and electrolyte imbalances, terminology, movement pressures, and normal laboratory values based on the NR 283 Week 3 lecture.

Hydrostatic Pressure

The "pushing" pressure that pushes fluid from one compartment to another.

Osmotic Pressure

The "pulling" pressure that is determined by albumin (proteins).

Filtration

The movement of fluid from the intravascular space to the interstitial space.

Osmosis

The movement of fluid from the interstitial space (low solute concentration) to the intravascular space (high solute concentration).

Fluid Volume Deficit (Hypovolemia)

A state caused by conditions such as blood loss, dehydration, severe burns, or diarrhea/vomiting, characterized by manifestations like tachycardia, weak pulses, and hypotension.

Fluid Volume Excess (Hypervolemia)

A fluid imbalance caused by heart failure, liver failure, renal failure, or IV infusions, characterized by hypertension, bounding pulses, and crackles in the lungs.

Oliguria

A condition characterized by low urine output, often seen in fluid volume deficit or renal failure.

Anuria

A condition characterized by the absence of urine production.

Hypotonic Dehydration

A state with fewer solutes in the intravascular space, resulting in fluid movement from the intravascular space into the cells.

Hypertonic Dehydration

A state with more solutes in the intravascular space, resulting in fluid movement from the cells into the intravascular space.

Isotonic Dehydration

A state where solute content is equal between the cell and intravascular space, and fluid movement remains equal.

Edema

Excess fluid in the interstitial space that presents as swelling and can lead to skin breakdown and delayed healing.

Ascites

The accumulation of excess fluid within the abdomen.

Sodium

The primary cation in extracellular fluid essential for nerve impulses and muscle contractions, with a normal level of $135-145\,mEq/L$.

Hyponatremia

A sodium level below $135\,mEq/L$, which can cause lethargy, headache, confusion, apprehension, seizures, and coma.

Hypernatremia

A sodium level above $145\,mEq/L$.

Calcium

An extracellular cation controlled by parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin, with a normal level of $9-10.5\,g/dL$, that provides strength for bones/teeth and stability for nerve membranes.

Hypocalcemia

A calcium level below $9\,mg/dL$, manifesting as tetany, muscle twitching, Chvostek's sign, and paresthesia.

Hypercalcemia

A calcium level greater than $10.5\,mg/dL$, manifesting as kidney stones and spontaneous fractures.

Magnesium

An intracellular cation involved in energy production ($ATP$) and relaxing smooth muscle, with a normal level of $1.6-2.5\,mEq/L$.

Chloride

The major extracellular anion that helps regulate osmotic pressure and acid-base balance, with a normal level of $98-106\,mEq/L$.

Potassium

The main electrolyte in the intracellular space essential for nerve impulses and heart function, with a normal level of $3.5-5.0\,mEq/L$.

Hypokalemia

A potassium level below $3.5\,mEq/L$ that can cause skeletal muscle weakness, constipation, flattened T waves, and ST segment elevation.

Hyperkalemia

A potassium level greater than $5.0\,mEq/L$, often resulting from cell death (crush injuries) or impaired kidney function.

Aldosterone

The hormone that controls sodium and water levels through the kidneys to maintain fluid balance.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

One of the body's mechanisms used to maintain fluid balance by conserving water.