Chapter 6 Pathophysiology

Homeostasis

Keeping the body happy and balanced

Intracellular fluid (ICF)

Water inside your cells

Extracellular fluid (ECF)

Water outside your cells

Plasma

Water in your blood

Interstitial fluid

Water between your cells

Diffusion

solutes spreads out from crowded to empty (concentration)

Osmosis

Water moves to where there’s more salt or sugar

Active transport

Cell uses energy to move stuff where it wants

Sodium (Na⁺)

Water boss (keeps water balanced)

Potassium (K⁺)

Heart and muscle helper

Calcium (Ca²⁺)

Bone builder and muscle helper

Magnesium (Mg²⁺)

Muscle and nerve helper, keeps body calm

Phosphate (PO₄³⁻)

Bone helper and energy maker

Chloride (Cl⁻)

Follows sodium, helps balance acids

Hyponatremia

Not enough sodium leads to being confused and/or weak

Hypernatremia

Too much sodium leads to being thirsty and dry

Hypokalemia

Not enough potassium leads to weak muscles and heart trouble

Hyperkalemia

Too much potassium leads to dangerous heart rhythms

Hypocalcemia

Not enough calcium leads to twitchy muscles

Hypercalcemia

Too much calcium creates weak bones or pain in bones

Acid

Makes blood sour (lowers pH)

Base

Makes blood bitter (raises pH)

Buffer

Quick fix to keep blood pH normal

Respiratory system

Lungs fix blood pH by breathing faster or slower

Kidneys

Pee out acid or keep base to fix blood pH

Respiratory acidosis

Too much CO₂ leads to blood too sour

Respiratory alkalosis

Too little CO₂ leads to blood too bitter

Metabolic acidosis

Too much acid from things like diabetes or diarrhea

Metabolic alkalosis

Too much base from vomiting or antacids

Acute

Happens fast

Chronic

Happens slow or lasts a long time

Signs

What the nurse sees (swelling, fast heartbeat)

Symptoms

What the patient feels (thirst, cramps)