Fluid and Electrolyte Balance

A set of flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to body fluids, electrolytes, and their regulatory mechanisms.

Body Fluids

Water: Primary body fluid that serves functions such as blood volume maintenance, body temperature regulation, transportation of nutrients, and waste excretion.

Intracellular Fluid (ICF)

Fluid contained within the cells, accounting for 40% of body weight, major cations are potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg).

Extracellular Fluid (ECF)

Fluid outside the cells that carries essential elements to cells and removes waste products, accounting for 20% of body weight.

Active Transport

A process requiring energy where molecules move from an area of low concentration to high concentration.

Osmosis

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

Filtration

Movement of water and small particles from an area of high pressure to low pressure, influenced by hydrostatic and osmotic pressures.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

A hormone from the pituitary gland that causes kidneys to retain fluid.

Sodium (Na+)

A major cation in ECF, essential for fluid regulation, nerve impulse conduction, and muscle contraction; regulated by the kidneys.

Potassium (K+)

A major cation in ICF that regulates cardiac rhythm and electrical impulses in the body; lost through vomiting and diuretics.

Renin-Angiotensin System

A hormone response to decreased kidney perfusion that helps regulate fluid balance.

Dehydration

A negative fluid balance also known as deficient fluid volume (FVD) caused by insufficient intake or excessive fluid loss.

Hypervolemia

Excess fluid volume in the body, characterized by symptoms like edema, distended neck veins, and bounding pulse.

Acid-Base Balance

Maintaining the pH within the normal range of 7.35-7.45 through buffers, respiratory, and renal mechanisms.

Buffers

Substances that help maintain pH balance in the body, such as the Carbonic Acid-Sodium Bicarbonate system.

Isotonic Solution

A solution with the same osmolality as blood, ensuring no net movement of water; examples include Normal Saline.

Hypotonic Solution

A solution with lower osmotic pressure than serum, causing water to move into cells; examples include 0.45% saline.

Hypertonic Solution

A solution with higher osmotic pressure than serum, causing water to move out of cells; examples include D5NS.