Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Balance Lecture Review

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance based on lecture notes.

IV Flow Rate Calculation (Formula)

A calculation used to determine the rate at which intravenous fluids should be administered, typically measured in drops per minute (gtt/min), using the formula: (milliliters per hour x drop factor (gtt/mL)) / 60 min/hr.

Excessive Aldosterone Levels

A condition requiring the nurse's assessment to include the client's potassium level, due to aldosterone's role in sodium and potassium balance.

Fluid Volume Deficit Assessment

Anticipated assessment data includes hypotension (e.g., blood pressure 100/48 mmHg), poor skin turgor, and tachycardia (e.g., heart rate 128/bpm).

IV Infiltration

A complication of IV therapy characterized by the IV site and arm being swollen and cool to the touch, requiring the nurse to remove the peripheral intravenous catheter.

Adequate Daily Hydration for Healthy Adults

The recommended average daily fluid intake for a healthy adult, which is 2,500 mL/day.

IV Fluid Overload Symptoms

Symptoms discussed include distended neck veins; it is more likely in very young children, and the infusion rate must be carefully monitored. Using packed cells instead of whole blood can decrease fluid volume delivered.

Hemolytic Transfusion Reaction

A severe transfusion reaction indicated by immediate onset facial flushing, hypotension, tachycardia, and chills, typically due to incompatibility of the blood product.

Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) Indications

Appropriate for clients such as those with full-thickness burns over 40% of the body, those unable to eat for a few weeks post-gastric surgery, or those with anorexia nervosa.

Blood Type AB Transfusion Compatibility

Clients with Type AB blood are considered 'universal recipients' and can safely receive blood from A, B, AB, and O blood types.

Input and Output (I&O) Documentation

Items documented as fluid input on an I&O record include melted ice chips, jello, soups/chili, intravenous solutions, and ice cream.

Nursing Actions for Elevated PaCO2 (Emphysema)

Actions include monitoring arterial blood gases and oxygen saturation, auscultating lung sounds, providing breathing treatments and medications as prescribed, and elevating the head of the bed.

Hypokalemia Symptoms (Diuretic Use)

Muscle weakness, fatigue, and an irregular heart rate in a client taking diuretics often indicate a need to assess potassium levels.

Hypotonic Solution

An intravenous solution that has a lower osmotic pressure than body cells, causing water to pass through cell membranes and cells to swell, potentially increasing blood pressure.

Dextrose Percentage in TPN

Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is a hypertonic solution typically containing 50% dextrose.

Metabolic Alkalosis (Vomiting)

An acid-base imbalance that can result from protracted nausea and vomiting due to the significant loss of stomach acid.

Isotonic Solution

An IV fluid with the same osmotic pressure as that found within the body's cells, administered to expand the client's intravascular volume without causing significant fluid shifts.

Electrolyte Imbalances Post-Parathyroidectomy

Surgical removal of the parathyroid gland would lead to expected imbalances in calcium and phosphorus levels.

Packed Red Blood Cells (PRBCs) Administration Rate

Recommended administration rate for one unit is over 2 to 3 hours, and no longer than 4 hours.

Microdrip Tubing Drop Factor

The standard drop factor for microdrip tubing used in IV administration is 60 drops/mL.

Implanted Central Venous Access Device (CVAD)

A vascular access device most likely to meet the needs of a client requiring several rounds of chemotherapy, providing long-term access.

Primary Extracellular Electrolytes

The main electrolytes found outside the cell, which include sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate.

Phlebitis (IV Complication)

An inflammation of the vein characterized by redness, warmth, and discomfort along the vein when caring for a client on IV therapy. The intervention is to restart the infusion in another vein and apply a warm compress.

Arterial Blood Gas (ABG)

The laboratory test commonly used in the assessment and treatment of acid-base balance.

Edema

A clinical sign that indicates an extracellular fluid volume excess.

Blood Transfusion Reaction (Mild Allergic)

If a client displays a rash and flushing during a blood transfusion, even with stable vital signs, the nurse should immediately stop the transfusion.