Review of Fluid, Electrolyte, Acid-Base Balance, and Immunology

These flashcards cover key concepts, definitions, and terminology from the lecture notes on fluid and electrolyte balance, acid-base regulation, and immunology.

Fluid Balance

The maintenance of the proper amount and composition of body fluids.

Electrolyte Panel

A blood test measuring the levels of key electrolytes, including sodium, potassium, and calcium.

Hyponatremia

A condition characterized by low sodium levels in the blood, leading to headaches and weakness.

Hypernatremia

A condition characterized by high sodium levels in the blood, causing confusion and thirst.

Bicarbonate Buffer System

A major buffer system in extracellular fluid that helps regulate pH by absorbing or releasing H+ ions.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)

A hormone system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.

Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP)

A hormone that promotes sodium and water excretion when high blood volume is detected.

Intracellular Fluid (ICF)

Fluid found inside cells, contains potassium as the major cation and phosphate as the major anion.

Extracellular Fluid (ECF)

Fluid outside cells, majorly sodium as the cation and chloride as the anion, crucial for nutrient delivery.

Radiation Therapy

A cancer treatment that causes DNA damage to kill cancer cells, primarily used for localized tumors.

Chemotherapy

A systemic cancer treatment that affects rapidly dividing cells, causing side effects like nausea and hair loss.

Hyponatremia Symptoms

Headache and weakness due to low sodium levels.

Hyperkalemia Symptoms

Muscle weakness and cardiac arrhythmias from high potassium levels.

Neoplasm

An abnormal mass of tissue with uncontrolled proliferation, which can be benign or malignant.

Metastasis

The spread of malignant cells from a primary tumor to distant sites via blood or lymphatics.

Oncogenes

Genes that promote cell growth when mutated, contributing to cancer development.

Passive Immunity

Temporary immunity acquired via the transfer of preformed antibodies.

Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)

A set of molecules displayed on cell surfaces that help the immune system recognize foreign substances.

Cytokines

Signaling proteins that mediate communication between immune cells.

Inflammation

A biological response to eliminate the cause of cell injury and restore homeostasis.