Fluid and Electrolyte Balance in Nursing

What is the significance of homeostasis in fluid and electrolyte balance?

Homeostasis maintains internal balance, particularly water balance, which determines electrolyte balance.

What percentage of water is in a full-term newborn's body?

70 to 80%.

What is the average percentage of water in adult men and women?

Men: about 60%; Women: about 52%.

What happens to the percentage of water in the body as we age?

It generally decreases.

What is the role of fluid in the bloodstream?

It delivers oxygen and glucose to cells and removes carbon dioxide.

What are the consequences of poor homeostasis in fluid balance?

It can lead to illness or death.

What is intracellular fluid?

Fluid located inside the cells, making up about 70% of body water.

What percentage of an adult's body weight is composed of water?

About 40%.

What is the first space in fluid compartments?

Intracellular fluid.

What is extracellular fluid?

Fluid located outside of the cells, which includes intravascular and interstitial fluids.

What is intravascular fluid?

Fluid within the venous and arterial system, primarily plasma.

What is interstitial fluid?

Fluid surrounding tissue cells, outside of the bloodstream.

What is the third space in fluid compartments?

Fluid that accumulates outside of cells and bloodstream, often referred to as edema.

What is 'third spacing' in medical terms?

The accumulation of fluid in the third space, outside of cells and bloodstream.

Why do individuals on crash diets initially lose weight?

They lose water weight, not fat.

What happens when individuals resume normal fluid intake after a crash diet?

They often regain the weight lost due to water retention.

What is the relationship between fluid balance and oxygen delivery?

Proper fluid balance is essential for effective oxygen delivery to cells.

What is the importance of recognizing signs and symptoms of electrolyte imbalances?

It helps in identifying conditions like low sodium in patients.

How does aging affect water composition in the body?

The percentage of water decreases as a person ages.

What is the primary function of electrolytes in the body?

To help maintain fluid balance and support cellular functions.

What is the impact of dehydration on homeostasis?

Dehydration disrupts homeostasis, leading to potential health issues.

What role does the Colorado River play in the Grand Canyon's formation?

It carved the canyon over millions of years.

What humorous reference is made regarding electrolytes in the notes?

The movie 'Idiocracy' and its portrayal of a future where people drink 'Brondo' instead of water.

What are the main types of body fluid compartments?

The main types are intracellular fluid, interstitial fluid, and intravascular fluid.

What is the role of selectively permeable membranes in fluid transport?

They allow certain solutes to cross more easily than others, regulating fluid movement.

What is the largest component of body fluids?

Water, which acts as a universal solvent.

How does water help regulate body temperature?

Through evaporation, such as sweating, which cools the body.

What factors affect total body water percentage?

Age, gender, and body fat percentage.

What are normal sources of water intake?

Drinking fluids, consuming water-rich foods, and water produced by metabolic activity.

What is the primary source of water loss in the body?

The kidneys, through urine.

How else does the body lose water?

Through respiration (lungs), sweating (skin), and the gastrointestinal tract.

What is the significance of maintaining fluid balance?

It ensures that the intake of fluids matches the output, maintaining homeostasis.

What is edema in the context of fluid compartments?

Edema refers to excess fluid accumulation in interstitial spaces.

What is the function of electrolytes in body fluids?

Electrolytes help regulate nerve and muscle function, hydration, blood pH, and blood pressure.

What is the role of sodium in body fluids?

Sodium is crucial for fluid balance and nerve transmission.

What happens to total body water percentage as body fat increases?

It generally decreases, as higher body fat is associated with lower water content.

What is the process by which metabolic activity produces water?

Water is released during the breakdown of food for energy, particularly in processes like the Krebs cycle.

What is the importance of recording fluid intake and output?

It helps monitor and maintain fluid balance in the body.

What types of secretions are included in transcellular fluid?

Cerebrospinal, pericardial, synovial, intraocular, pleural, sweat, and digestive secretions.

What is the relationship between body temperature and sweating?

Sweating helps cool the body through evaporation, which regulates temperature.

How does the body lose water through the GI tract?

Water is absorbed by the large intestine, but some is lost in the process.

What is the significance of ATP in water production?

ATP production during metabolism releases water as a byproduct.

What are the effects of dehydration on body functions?

Dehydration can impair bodily functions, including temperature regulation and nutrient transport.

What is the role of potassium in body fluids?

Potassium is essential for maintaining fluid balance and proper muscle function.

What is the function of chloride in body fluids?

Chloride helps maintain osmotic pressure and acid-base balance.

What is the impact of physical activity on fluid balance?

Physical activity increases fluid loss through sweat and respiration, necessitating increased intake.

What is the relationship between water intake and output in the body?

Intake and output should be relatively equal, though not typically 100% at the end of the day.

How much does one liter of water weigh?

One liter of water is approximately equal to 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds).

What are electrolytes and how do they behave in water?

Electrolytes become polarized when dissolved in water, loosening their bonds.

Give examples of common electrolytes.

Sodium, potassium, and chloride are common electrolytes.

What are non-electrolytes and how do they behave in water?

Non-electrolytes do not polarize and do not have a charge when dissolved in water.

What are cations and provide examples.

Cations are positively charged ions, examples include sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

What are anions and provide examples.

Anions are negatively charged ions, examples include chloride, bicarbonate, and phosphate.

Why is it important to maintain a balance of positive and negative ions in body fluids?

To ensure that body fluids are electrochemically neutral.

What is the significance of milliequivalents in measuring electrolytes?

Milliequivalents measure the chemical combining power of an ion.

What role do electrolytes play in the body?

They help maintain the balance of extracellular and intracellular fluids, acid-base balance, neuromuscular activity, and heart function.

Where is sodium primarily located in the body?

Sodium is mostly found in the extracellular fluid.

Where is potassium primarily located in the body?

Potassium is mostly found within the intracellular fluid.

What is the role of calcium in the body?

Calcium contributes to muscular activity, enzyme formation, and is a key part of the clotting cascade.

What is the significance of magnesium in the body?

Magnesium is the second most abundant intracellular ion and plays various roles in bodily functions.

Which electrolytes are more prevalent in extracellular fluid?

Chloride and bicarbonate are more prevalent in extracellular fluid.

What happens to sodium levels when a person is dehydrated?

Dehydration may lead to low sodium levels.

How do sodium and water relate to each other in the body?

Sodium follows water; if there is extra water, there may be extra sodium.

What is the primary role of electrolytes in relation to metabolic functions?

Electrolytes assist with metabolic functions and help maintain homeostasis.

What mnemonic techniques can help remember electrolyte functions?

Creating goofy pictures, songs, or sayings can aid in memorizing electrolyte functions.

What is the primary function of potassium in the body?

Potassium is crucial for maintaining cellular function and is the most abundant intracellular ion.

What is the role of chloride in the body?

Chloride helps maintain fluid balance and is found primarily in extracellular fluid.

What is the role of bicarbonate in the body?

Bicarbonate helps regulate pH levels in the body.

How does the body maintain acid-base balance?

Through the regulation of electrolytes like bicarbonate and other ions.

What is the primary sensation that drives fluid intake?

Thirst.

What are some examples of non-electrolytes measured in milligrams per deciliter?

Urea, albumin, glucose, creatinine, bilirubin.

What physiological change triggers the sensation of thirst?

Decreased saliva production and increased osmolality of extracellular fluid.

What hormone is abbreviated as ADH and what is its function?

Anti-diuretic hormone; it helps conserve water in the kidneys.

What happens to urine output when ADH is secreted?

Urine output decreases.

What effect does increased extracellular fluid volume have on thirst?

It decreases the sensation of thirst.

What triggers the secretion of aldosterone?

A decrease in sodium, an increase in potassium, increased osmolality, or a drop in blood volume.

How does aldosterone affect kidney function?

It causes the kidneys to reabsorb sodium and water while excreting potassium.

What system is activated by the secretion of aldosterone?

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS).

What are selectively permeable membranes?

Membranes that separate intracellular and extracellular compartments, allowing certain substances to pass through.

How do small ions like sodium and potassium move across cell membranes?

They move freely across the membranes.

What are the two main processes of particle movement across membranes?

Diffusion and osmosis.

What is diffusion?

The movement of particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

What is osmosis?

The movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane.

What is the purpose of active transport?

To move larger substances across membranes that cannot passively diffuse.

What is the role of the kidneys in fluid balance?

They regulate the reabsorption of water and electrolytes.

What happens to plasma volume when more water is absorbed in the kidneys?

Plasma volume increases.

What is the relationship between serum osmolality and thirst?

Increased serum osmolality stimulates thirst.

What is the effect of a diuretic?

It increases urine production.

What is the primary function of the hypothalamus in fluid regulation?

To sense changes in osmolality and trigger thirst.

What is the significance of the transport processes in the body?

They help maintain homeostasis by balancing concentrations of solutes and water.

What is the outcome of the kidneys not pulling out extra water?

It helps the body retain more fluid.

What happens to water movement when there are more particles in a solution?

Water shifts to balance the concentration of particles.

What is active transport?

A process that requires energy to move substances against a concentration gradient, from low to high concentration.

What is the role of ATP in active transport?

ATP provides the energy needed for substances to move against their concentration gradient.

What is an example of active transport?

The sodium-potassium pump, which moves sodium ions out of cells and potassium ions into cells.

How does diffusion occur in gases?

Particles move from an area of high concentration (e.g., near a cake) to an area of low concentration (e.g., the rest of the room).

What are some examples of diffusion in biological systems?

Oxygen moving from alveoli into blood and carbon dioxide moving from blood into alveoli.

What is facilitated diffusion?

A process where substances move down their concentration gradient with the help of carrier proteins.

What types of substances typically require facilitated diffusion?

Glucose and ions, which need carrier proteins to cross the membrane.

What happens to animal cells during osmosis when water moves out?

Animal cells shrivel up due to loss of water.