MNT 2 Exam 1

Hypernatremia

Defined as a serum sodium level greater than 145 mil equivalents per liter.

Serum Sodium Level

Concentration of sodium in the blood, important for fluid and electrolyte balance.

Fluid compartments

The two primary spaces in the body where fluids are held: intracellular (inside cells) and extracellular (outside cells).

Intracellular fluid

The fluid found inside the cells of the body.

Extracellular fluid

The fluid located outside of cells, including blood plasma and interstitial fluid.

Arginine Vasopressin (AVP)

Also known as anti-diuretic hormone, regulates water reabsorption in the kidneys.

Homeostasis

The body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

Electrolytes

Minerals in the body that carry an electric charge, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride.

Osmolarity

A measure of solute concentration in a solution, important for understanding fluid balance.

Osmotic pressure

The pressure required to prevent the flow of water across a semipermeable membrane.

Tonicity

The ability of an extracellular solution to make water move into or out of a cell.

Renal losses

Excessive water loss occurring through urine.

Extrarenal losses

Water losses from sources other than the kidneys, such as sweating and diarrhea.

Iatrogenic

Conditions or complications caused by medical treatment or interventions.

Diabetes Insipidus

A condition characterized by excessive thirst and urine output due to a deficiency in or resistance to arginine vasopressin.

Osmotic Diuresis

Increased urination caused by substances in the renal tubules that pull water with them, such as glucose.

Salt toxicity

A potentially life-threatening condition resulting from the rapid ingestion of a concentrated salt solution.

Hyperaldosteronism

A condition where excessive aldosterone leads to increased sodium reabsorption.

Hypercortisolism

An excess of cortisol that can also lead to increased sodium reabsorption.

Neurological damage

Harm caused to the brain or nervous system, which can result from severe hypernatremia.

Desmopressin

A synthetic analogue of vasopressin used to treat conditions related to AVP deficiency.

Free Water Deficit

The amount of water needed to correct dehydration calculated during treatment for hypernatremia.

Fluid Replacement

The process of administering fluids to correct dehydration and restore sodium balance.

Sodium correction rate

The speed at which serum sodium levels are adjusted during treatment; recommended to be ≤ 12 mil equivalents per liter per day for chronic cases.

Hypotonic fluid

Fluids that have a lower concentration of solutes than blood plasma, used safely in treatment of hypernatremia.

Serum sodium monitoring

Routine checks of serum sodium levels to ensure they are being corrected appropriately during treatment.

Osmosis

The movement of water from an area of high water concentration to an area of low water concentration through a semipermeable membrane.

Semi-permeable membrane

A barrier that allows certain substances to pass while blocking others, typically only allowing small or uncharged molecules.

Solute

A substance that is dissolved in a solvent, forming a solution.

Solvent

A substance, usually liquid, that dissolves a solute, forming a solution.

Concentration gradient

A difference in the concentration of a substance across a space.

Facilitated diffusion

The process of spontaneous passive transport of molecules or ions across a biological membrane via specific transmembrane integral proteins.

High solute concentration

When there is a greater amount of solute in a given volume of solvent compared to another area.

Diarrhea

Loose or watery stools that occur when water is pulled into the bowel due to high concentrations of solutes.

Warfarin

A medication that acts as an anticoagulant to reduce blood clotting.

Vitamin K

A nutrient that assists in blood clotting by activating clotting factors.

Anticoagulants

Drugs that help to prevent and treat conditions related to unwanted blood clotting.

INR (International Normalized Ratio)

A measure of how long it takes for blood to clot, used to monitor patients on anticoagulants.

Gamma glutamyl carboxylase

An enzyme that uses vitamin K to convert inactive clotting factors into active forms.

Vitamin K Hydroquinone

The reduced form of vitamin K that serves as a cofactor in the activation of clotting factors.

Vitamin K Epoxide Reductase

An enzyme inhibited by Warfarin, breaking the vitamin K cycle and reducing clotting.

Hepatocytes

Liver cells that absorb vitamin K and are involved in the vitamin K cycle.

Leafy green vegetables

Major dietary sources of vitamin K, including broccoli, spinach, and kale.

Chylomicrons

Particles that package absorbed dietary fats and vitamins for transport through the lymphatic system.

Myocardial Infarction

A medical condition commonly known as a heart attack, caused by blood clots.

Pulmonary Embolism

A blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, often due to clots.

Atrial Fibrillation

An irregular heart rhythm that can lead to blood clot formation.

Vitamin K Cycle

The process by which vitamin K is reused in the body to support blood clotting.

Vitamin K Quinone

An oxidized form of vitamin K that is reduced back to hydroquinone in the vitamin K cycle.

Vitamin K Depletion

A condition where there is insufficient vitamin K intake, leading to increased bleeding risk.

Vitamin K Enriched Diet

A diet that significantly increases vitamin K intake, potentially affecting INR levels.

Vitamin K Content

The amount of vitamin K found in various foods, crucial for managing anticoagulant therapy.

Dietary Supplements

Products taken to supplement the diet, which may contain vitamins and minerals including vitamin K.

Food Record

A method used to track dietary intake over a set period, often used in studies.

Stable Anticoagulation

A condition where INR remains within the target therapeutic range without significant fluctuations.

RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowance)

The daily dietary intake level sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of most healthy individuals.

Variety of Vitamin K Intake

The consistency of vitamin K consumption which can affect the stability of INR.

Soybean-based Foods

Another major source of vitamin K, including edamame and tofu.

Low Total Vegetable Intake

A condition indicating an inadequate consumption of vegetables, which may impact vitamin K levels.

Adjustment of Warfarin Dosage

The modification of Warfarin dosage based on a patient’s vitamin K intake to maintain therapeutic INR.

Alcohol and Tobacco Interaction

Substances that may interfere with the action of anticoagulants like Warfarin.

Herbal Supplements

Natural products that may also interact with Warfarin and affect INR.

Diet Education

The process of teaching patients about nutrition, especially in relation to their medication.

IV Dextrose

Intravenous glucose solution used for providing calories and hydration.

Caloric Content

IV dextrose provides 3.4 calories per gram.

Calculation of Calories

To determine calories from IV dextrose, multiply the grams of dextrose by 3.4.

Solution Percentages

Common IV dextrose solutions include 5%, 10%, 20%, and 50%, which indicate grams per 100 milliliters.

Volume Calculation

Calculate volume in milliliters by multiplying the infusion rate by the number of hours.

Proportion Setup

Set up a proportion to find grams of dextrose: (percent solution/100) = (grams/volume in mL).

Example Calculation

For 5% dextrose at 75 mL/hour over 24 hours, calculate grams and calories as follows: 90 grams equal 306 calories.