Module 10 Vocabulary

ABG/arterial blood gas – A test that measures the levels of oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), and pH in arterial blood. It provides insight into lung function and the body's acid-base balance.

Acid – A substance that releases hydrogen ions (H+) in solution. Acids lower the pH of a solution.

Acidosis (respiratory or metabolic) – A condition where the blood pH is lower than normal (less than 7.35), indicating an excess of acid in the blood.

• Respiratory acidosis occurs due to excess CO2 (e.g., from hypoventilation).

• Metabolic acidosis results from an accumulation of acid (e.g., from renal failure or diabetic ketoacidosis).

Albumin – A protein in blood plasma that helps maintain the osmotic pressure in blood vessels, crucial for proper fluid balance and transport of substances.

Alkalosis (respiratory or metabolic) – A condition where the blood pH is higher than normal (greater than 7.45), indicating an excess of base or loss of acid.

• Respiratory alkalosis occurs due to a decrease in CO2 (e.g., from hyperventilation).

• Metabolic alkalosis occurs due to an excess of bicarbonate or loss of hydrogen ions (e.g., from vomiting or diuretic use).

Base – A substance that accepts hydrogen ions (H+) in solution. Bases raise the pH of a solution.

Buffer system – A system that helps maintain the pH of the body within a narrow range by neutralizing excess acids or bases. The bicarbonate buffer system is the most important in the body.

Capillary colloidal osmotic pressure – The osmotic pressure exerted by proteins (such as albumin) in the blood plasma that helps pull water into the capillaries from the surrounding tissues.

Capillary hydrostatic pressure – The pressure exerted by the fluid within the capillaries, which tends to push fluid out of the capillaries into the surrounding tissues (interstitial space).

Compartmental shifting – The movement of fluids between different body compartments (e.g., from intravascular to interstitial or intracellular spaces), often seen in conditions like edema or dehydration.

Compensation – The body's physiological response to counterbalance an imbalance in fluid, electrolytes, or acid-base status, such as respiratory compensation for metabolic acidosis.

Electrolyte – Minerals in body fluids (such as sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, etc.) that carry an electric charge and are essential for various bodily functions.

Extracellular fluid – The fluid outside of cells, including interstitial fluid (between cells), blood plasma, and transcellular fluid. It makes up about one-third of the body's total fluid volume.

HCO3 (bicarbonate) – A base that acts as a buffer in the blood, helping to regulate pH. Normal levels range from 22–28 mEq/L.

Hypercalcemia – An abnormally high level of calcium in the blood, which can lead to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, and confusion.

Hyperkalemia – An abnormally high level of potassium in the blood, which can lead to dangerous heart arrhythmias.

Hypernatremia – An abnormally high level of sodium in the blood, often due to dehydration, which can cause neurological symptoms like confusion and seizures.

Hypertonic – A solution with a higher concentration of solutes (e.g., sodium) compared to another solution, leading to water moving out of cells into the extracellular space.

Hypervolemia – An excess of fluid in the bloodstream, often caused by excessive salt or water intake, kidney dysfunction, or heart failure.

Hypocalcemia – An abnormally low level of calcium in the blood, which can cause muscle cramps, tetany, and cardiovascular issues.

Hypokalemia – An abnormally low level of potassium in the blood, which can lead to muscle weakness, arrhythmias, and fatigue.

Hyponatremia – An abnormally low level of sodium in the blood, which can lead to symptoms like headache, nausea, confusion, and in severe cases, seizures.

Hypotonic – A solution with a lower concentration of solutes compared to another solution, causing water to move into cells from the extracellular space.

Hypovolemia – A decreased volume of circulating blood in the body, often caused by dehydration, bleeding, or fluid loss from vomiting or diarrhea.

Interstitial fluid – The fluid found in the spaces between cells, part of the extracellular fluid compartment, that helps nourish cells and remove waste.

Intracellular fluid – The fluid inside cells, making up about two-thirds of the body's total fluid volume.

Intravascular fluid – The fluid within blood vessels, consisting primarily of blood plasma. It makes up about one-third of the extracellular fluid volume.

Isotonic – A solution with the same concentration of solutes as another solution, resulting in no net movement of water into or out of cells.

Isotonic fluid volume deficit – A condition where the body loses water and electrolytes in equal amounts, often due to dehydration or excessive fluid loss.

Isotonic fluid volume excess – A condition where the body retains an equal amount of water and sodium, often due to kidney failure or excessive fluid intake.

PaCO2 – The partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood, a key indicator of respiratory function. Normal levels range from 35–45 mmHg.

pH – A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, where values less than 7 are acidic, values greater than 7 are alkaline, and 7 is neutral. The body aims to maintain a pH of around 7.35–7.45.

Plasma potassium-hydrogen ion exchange – A process where potassium and hydrogen ions exchange between cells and plasma, helping to maintain acid-base balance in the body.

Tetany – A condition characterized by muscle cramps, spasms, and twitching, often caused by low calcium or magnesium levels.

Third-spacing – The abnormal accumulation of fluid in spaces where fluid is not normally found, such as in the abdominal cavity (ascites) or pleural space (pleural effusion), which can lead to edema.

Tissues colloidal osmotic pressure – The osmotic pressure exerted by proteins in the tissue fluids, helping to pull water from the extracellular space into the tissues.

Tissue hydrostatic pressure – The pressure exerted by tissue fluids on surrounding structures, helping to push water out of the tissues into the capillaries.

Transcellular fluid – The fluid found in specialized compartments of the body, such as cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, and the fluid in the eyes or joints.

Volatile – Refers to substances that can easily vaporize or evaporate, often used in reference to gases like CO2 that can rapidly enter or leave the body.

Water intoxication – A condition that occurs when excessive amounts of water are consumed in a short period, leading to a dilution of electrolytes (especially sodium) in the blood, which can cause symptoms like confusion, seizures, and in severe cases, death.