Fluid & Electrolyte, & Acid-base Balance

These flashcards contain key terms and definitions related to fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance as discussed in the lecture.

Electrolytes

Substances that carry electrical charge when dissolved in fluid.

Osmosis

Movement of water through a semipermeable membrane.

Filtration

Movement of fluid according to pressure differences.

Hypovolemia

Low volume of extracellular fluid, often due to vomiting, diarrhea, or dehydration.

Hypervolemia

High volume of water in intravascular fluid compartment.

Acidosis

Excessive accumulation of acids or excessive loss of bicarbonate in body fluids.

Alkalosis

Excessive accumulation of bases or loss of acid in body fluids.

Sodium (Na+) levels

Normal range is 135-145 mEq/L, essential for nerve and muscle activity.

Potassium (K+) levels

Normal range is 3.5-5 mEq/L, important for maintaining normal nerve and muscle activity.

Calcium levels

Normal range is 8.8-10 mg/dL, involved in blood clotting and nerve impulse transmission.

Magnesium (Mg+) levels

Normal range is 1.3-2.1 mEq/L, necessary for nerve impulse transmission and enzyme activation.

Third-spacing

Translocation of fluid from intravascular to tissue compartments, resulting in unusable fluid.

Natriuretic peptides

Hormones (ANP and BNP) released to increase urine production and decrease blood volume.

Kussmaul breathing

Deep, labored breathing patterns seen in metabolic acidosis.