Fluid, Electrolytes, and Acid-Base Balance Lecture Notes

Flashcards for Fluid, Electrolytes, and Acid-Base Balance

Homeostasis

The body's overall goal of achievement, constantly reacting and acting up in order to maintain a stable internal environment.

Solvent

The liquid of the body, or the liquid part of a solution.

Solute

The particles within a solution.

Electrolytes

Also known as ions, they are charged particles based on positive and negative charges.

Intracellular Fluid

Fluid located inside the cell.

Extracellular Fluid

Fluid located outside the cell.

Interstitial Fluid

Fluid located in the space between cells.

Water

An important nutrient that the body needs. Transports waste products, necessary for metabolism and digestion, helps regulate body temperature and helps maintain blood volume.

Filtration

A process in which fluid moves by hydrostatic pressure, from an area of greater concentration to lesser. Water pushing pressure.

Diffusion

The movement of molecules from an area of higher concentration to one of lower concentration until equilibrium is reached.

Osmosis

The movement of water only, through a semi-permeable membrane from an area of lesser concentration to one of greater concentration to dilute the space. Water pulling pressure.

Facilitated Diffusion

When particles inside the body need assistance to move, such as glucose requiring insulin.

Hypertonic

A solution with too many solutes, causing water to be pulled into it.

Hypotonic

A solution with less solutes, causing water to be pushed out of it.

Isotonic

A state where both sides of a solution are equal and fluid stays within the vessels

Cation

An electrolyte with a positive charge.

Anion

An electrolyte with a negative charge.

Catabolism

The breakdown of complex molecules in living organisms to form simpler ones, together with the release of energy; destructive metabolism.

Insensible Water Loss

Water loss that cannot be controlled nor measured, such as through respirations, sweat, and the GI tract.

Aldosterone

A hormone produced in the adrenal cortex that helps reabsorb sodium and water. If it reabsorbs sodium, water will follow.

Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)

Also known as vasopressin, prevents loss of fluid and creates vasoconstriction. Helps retain water and constrict vessels, causing a rise in blood pressure.

Natriuretic Peptides (ANP, BNP)

Respond to help increase in blood pressure volume by controlling sodium. They either hold on to sodium, increasing water, or get rid of sodium, decreasing water.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)

A compensatory response system controlled by the kidneys. Renin converts to angiotensin, then angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) converts it to angiotensin II to cause vasoconstriction and raise blood pressure.

Hypovolemia

Also known as dehydration, when intake or retention is less than what is needed, resulting in a fluid volume deficit.

Hypervolemia

Also known as overhydration, when the body has too much fluid.

Actual Dehydration

Dehydration characterized by actual fluid loss, either from not taking in enough or getting rid of too much fluid.

Relative Dehydration

Dehydration wherein fluid has shifted inside the body, from the vascular space to the interstitial space.

Isotonic Dehydration

The most common type of fluid volume deficit, where water and electrolytes are lost equally.

Orthostatic Hypotension

A drop in blood pressure when moving from lying to sitting to standing.

Polyuria

Excessive peeing.

Hemoconcentration

A condition caused by dehydration where there is not enough water in the system and blood values are elevated because of not enough fluid to dilute the blood.

Cardiac Output

Stroke plus heart rate. The amount of fluid or blood being pumped through.