Week 3: Regulation of Fluids, Electrolytes, and Acid-Base Balance Vocabulary Flashcards

A set of 50 vocabulary flashcards for Week 3 Pathophysiology covering fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base regulation, normal lab values, and clinical manifestations.

Filtration

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

Osmosis

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

Hydrostatic Pressure

The "pushing" pressure inside blood vessels that pushes fluid out from one compartment into another.

Osmotic Pressure

The "pulling" pressure in fluid compartments determined by plasma proteins such as albumin.

Hypovolemia

Fluid volume deficit characterized by a deficiency of fluid in the extracellular space, caused by blood loss, severe burns, dehydration, medications, or diarrhea/vomiting.

Hypervolemia

Fluid volume excess in the extracellular space caused by conditions such as heart failure, liver failure, renal failure, blood transfusions, or IV fluid infusions.

Maldistribution

A fluid imbalance characterized by abnormal fluid shifting into unintended tissue spaces due to inflammatory response, anaphylaxis, transfusion reactions, or neurogenic shock.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

A hormone mechanism that maintains fluid balance by stimulating the kidneys to conserve water.

Aldosterone

A adrenal hormone mechanism that regulates sodium conservation and potassium excretion in the kidneys to maintain fluid balance.

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)

A cardiac hormone released in response to fluid stretch that promotes sodium and water excretion to lower fluid volume.

Hemodilution

A decrease in the concentration of solutes and blood components due to an increased proportion of fluid/plasma volume.

Hemoconcentration

An increase in the concentration of solutes and blood cells due to a loss of fluid plasma volume.

Oliguria

Abnormally small or decreased output of urine by the kidneys.

Anuria

The absence or extreme suppression of urine production.

Hypotonic Dehydration

A type of dehydration where there are fewer solutes in the intravascular space than inside cells, driving fluid movement from the intravascular space into the cells.

Hypertonic Dehydration

A type of dehydration where there are more solutes in the intravascular space than inside cells, driving fluid movement from inside cells into the intravascular space.

Isotonic Dehydration

A state of dehydration where solute concentration is equal between the intracellular space and the intravascular space, keeping fluid movement equal.

Cerebral Edema

Swelling in brain tissue caused by fluid shifts into cells, serving as a critical risk factor during hypotonic states.

Edema

Excess fluid accumulation within the interstitial space presenting as swelling.

Ascites

Excess fluid accumulation specifically localized in the peritoneal/abdominal cavity.

Pitting Edema

A form of swelling where pressure applied to the tissue leaves a visible depression or pit.

Pulmonary Edema

Excess fluid buildup in the lungs resulting in dyspnea, tachypnea, low oxygen saturation, and crackles.

Lymphedema

Swelling caused by an obstruction or blockage in the lymphatic system preventing proper interstitial fluid drainage.

Electrolytes

Elements within the blood that conduct electrical charges to maintain homeostasis, acid-base balance, fluid balance, neuronal stimulation, and bone growth or destruction.

Normal Sodium Level

The standard physiological serum range for sodium, the primary extracellular cation, which is $135-145Configuration mEq/L$.

Hyponatremia

A serum sodium level below $135\,\text{mEq/L}$, presenting with lethargy, headache, confusion, apprehension, seizures, and coma.

Hypernatremia

A serum sodium level above $145\,\text{mEq/L}$, caused by fluid volume deficit, excessive sodium intake, or renal failure.

Normal Calcium Level

The physiological serum range for calcium, an extracellular cation controlled by PTH and calcitonin, which is $9-10.5\,\text{mg/dL}$.

Hypocalcemia

A serum calcium level below $9\,\text{mg/dL}$, presenting with tetany, muscle twitching, paresthesia, cardiac dysrhythmias, and Chvostek's sign.

Hypercalcemia

A serum calcium level greater than $10.5\,\text{mg/dL}$, presenting with kidney stones, spontaneous fractures, and psychiatric overtones.

Chvostek's Sign

A clinical indicator of hypocalcemia elicited by tapping the facial nerve, causing involuntary facial muscle twitching.

Tetany

Involuntary, painful muscle spasms and neuromuscular hyperexcitability commonly caused by hypocalcemia.

Normal Magnesium Level

The standard physiological serum range for magnesium, an intracellular cation involved in ATP energy production and smooth muscle relaxation, which is $1.6-2.5\,\text{mEq/L}$.

Hypomagnesemia

A serum magnesium level less than $1.6\,\text{mEq/L}$.

Hypermagnesemia

A serum magnesium level greater than $2.5\,\text{mEq/L}$, causing lethargy, slow breathing, and diminished reflexes.

Normal Chloride Level

The standard physiological serum range for chloride, the major extracellular anion, which is $98-106\,\text{mEq/L}$.

Hypochloremia

A serum chloride level less than $98\,\text{mEq/L}$.

Hyperchloremia

A serum chloride level greater than $106\,\text{mEq/L}$.

Normal Potassium Level

The physiological serum range for potassium, the primary intracellular cation essential for nerve impulses and heart function, which is $3.5-5.0\,\text{mEq/L}$.

Hypokalemia

A serum potassium level below $3.5\,\text{mEq/L}$, leading to skeletal muscle weakness starting in limbs, constipation, paralytic ileus, flattened T waves, and ST elevation.

Hyperkalemia

A serum potassium level greater than $5.0\,\text{mEq/L}$, leading to irregular heartbeats, chest pain, muscle weakness, numbness/tingling, and risk of cardiac arrest.

Sodium-Potassium Pump

An active transport system that pumps potassium into the cell and sodium out of the cell against concentration gradients using ATP.

Normal Blood pH Range

The standard physiological arterial blood pH range required for cellular function, defined as $7.35-7.45$ (death usually occurs outside $6.8-7.8$).

PaCO2

The partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood representing the respiratory component of acid-base balance, with a normal range of $35-45\,\text{mmHg}$.

HCO3

Bicarbonate concentration in arterial blood representing the metabolic component of acid-base balance, with a normal range of $22-26\,\text{mEq/L}$.

PaO2

The partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood, with a normal reference range of $75-100\,\text{mmHg}$.

Respiratory Acidosis

An acid-base imbalance characterized by a pH below $7.35$ and a PaCO2 above $45\,\text{mmHg}$, caused by hypoventilation or airway obstruction.

Metabolic Acidosis

An acid-base imbalance characterized by a pH below $7.35$ and an HCO3 below $22\,\text{mEq/L}$, caused by severe diarrhea, renal failure, or diabetic ketoacidosis.

Respiratory Alkalosis

An acid-base imbalance characterized by a pH above $7.45$ and a PaCO2 below $35\,\text{mmHg}$, caused by hyperventilation due to fever, pain, or anxiety.

Metabolic Alkalosis

An acid-base imbalance characterized by a pH above $7.45$ and an HCO3 above $26\,\text{mEq/L}$, caused by loss of gastric acid through vomiting or nasogastric suctioning.