150 Questions
Which of the following is a major function of water in the body?
All of the above
Which of the following is NOT a major electrolyte in the body?
Chlorine
Which process involves the movement of water and solutes from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration?
Diffusion
Which of the following is a sign of fluid and electrolyte imbalance?
All of the above
Which of the following is NOT one of the main functions of water in the body?
Maintenance of hydrogen balance in the body
What percentage of water does the adult female body typically contain?
50%
Which of the following factors can cause dehydration to occur more quickly in the older adult?
Age-related decline in total body water
What is the main function of electrolytes in the body?
To maintain fluid balance
Which of the following is NOT a function of sodium (Na+)?
Formation of bone and teeth
Which electrolyte is the major intracellular cation?
Potassium (K+)
Which electrolyte is necessary for blood coagulation?
Calcium (Ca2+)
Which electrolyte is a buffer that neutralizes excess acids in the body?
Bicarbonate (HCO3-)
Which organ is primarily responsible for fluid excretion in the body?
Kidney
Which hormone is released by the posterior pituitary gland to regulate urine output?
ADH
Which hormone is released by the adrenal cortex to promote reabsorption of sodium from kidney tubules?
Aldosterone
Which process refers to the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane?
Osmosis
Which of the following is a sign of dehydration?
Cool, dry skin
What is the main cause of fluid deficit in patients unable to take in sufficient quantities of fluid?
Impaired swallowing
What does the term 'tissue turgor' refer to?
Degree of elasticity of the skin
Which process requires cellular energy to move molecules into cells regardless of their electrical charge or the concentrations already in the cell?
Active transport
What is the treatment for dehydration?
Fluid replacement
What happens to cells when they are surrounded by a solution that has a greater concentration of solute than the cells have?
The cells dehydrate and shrink
What is the term for a solution that has the same concentration of particles as the living cells it surrounds?
Isotonic
What process is essential to the life of cells and the balance of water and electrolytes in the body?
Osmosis
Which of the following is a sign of fluid volume excess?
Crackles in the lungs
What is a potential cause of fluid volume excess?
Renal failure
How can dehydration be prevented in an older adult experiencing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea?
Offering small amounts of water frequently
What can happen if a person takes in more water than they excrete?
Fluid volume excess
What is edema?
Excessive accumulation of interstitial fluid
What determines whether a person has fluid volume deficit or excess?
What is in the vascular space
What is the term for a condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity?
Ascites
Which of the following is NOT a major electrolyte in the body?
Calcium
What is the term for a condition characterized by an excess of magnesium in the blood?
Hypermagnesemia
Which of the following is a sign of fluid volume deficit?
Hyponatremia
What is the major role of sodium in the body?
Regulation of water balance
Which electrolyte is important in controlling the contractility of the heart?
Calcium
What is the function of chloride in the body?
Formation of hydrochloric acid for stomach secretion
What is the main function of bicarbonate in the body?
Neutralizes excess acids in the body
Which of the following is NOT one of the main functions of water in the body?
To assist in maintenance of hydrogen (H+) balance in the body
What is the term for a solution that has the same concentration of particles as the living cells it surrounds?
Isotonic
What percentage of water does the adult female body typically contain?
50%
What happens to cells when they are surrounded by a solution that has a greater concentration of solute than the cells have?
They shrink
Which of the following is a sign of fluid volume deficit?
Rapid pulse
What is the main cause of fluid deficit in patients unable to take in sufficient quantities of fluid?
Unavailability of water
What is the treatment for dehydration?
Fluid administration
What does the term 'tissue turgor' refer to?
Degree of elasticity of skin
Which hormone is released by the adrenal cortex to promote reabsorption of sodium from kidney tubules?
aldosterone
What is the main function of electrolytes in the body?
To maintain acid-base balance
What process refers to the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane?
Osmosis
What happens to cells when they are surrounded by a solution that has a greater concentration of solute than the cells have?
They shrink
Which of the following is true about an isotonic solution?
It has the same concentration of particles as the cells it surrounds
What is the term for a solution that has a greater concentration of solute than the cells have?
Hypertonic
Which process requires cellular energy to move molecules into cells regardless of their electrical charge or the concentrations already in the cell?
Active transport
What is the main function of electrolytes in the body?
To maintain fluid balance
Which of the following is a sign of fluid volume excess?
Crackles in the lungs
What can cause fluid volume excess in a patient?
Renal failure
What is the main cause of fluid deficit in patients unable to take in sufficient quantities of fluid?
Inability to drink
What is the term for an excessive accumulation of interstitial fluid?
Edema
Which electrolyte is a buffer that neutralizes excess acids in the body?
Bicarbonate
What happens to cells when they are surrounded by a solution that has a greater concentration of solute than the cells have?
Cells shrink
Which of the following is a major function of electrolytes in the body?
Transmission of nerve impulses
Which of the following is NOT a major electrolyte in the body?
Phosphate
What is the main cause of fluid deficit in patients unable to take in sufficient quantities of fluid?
Inadequate intake of water
Which process involves the movement of water and solutes from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration?
Diffusion
Which of the following is NOT a major function of water in the body?
Providing energy for cellular metabolism
Which of the following electrolytes is important in controlling the contractility of the heart?
Calcium
What is the term for a condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity?
Ascites
Which of the following factors can cause dehydration to occur more quickly in the older adult?
Decreased thirst sensation
Which of the following is a sign of fluid volume deficit?
Sunken eyeballs
What is the term for a condition characterized by an excess of magnesium in the blood?
Hypermagnesemia
Which of the following is NOT a major electrolyte in the body?
Chloride
What happens to cells when they are surrounded by a solution that has a greater concentration of solute than the cells have?
Cells shrink
Which of the following hormones is released by the posterior pituitary and stimulates the reabsorption of water in the renal tubules?
ADH
Which of the following is NOT a major component of extracellular fluid?
Fluid contained within the cell walls
Which process refers to the movement of substances from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration until equilibrium is reached?
Diffusion
Which of the following is a major function of electrolytes in the body?
Maintaining acid-base balance
Which of the following is NOT a function of water in the body?
Maintenance of hydrogen balance
What is the percentage of water in the adult male body?
60%
What factors contribute to dehydration occurring more quickly in the older adult?
Age-related decline in total body water
What is the unit of measure for electrolytes in body fluid?
Milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L)
Which of the following is the correct definition of an isotonic solution?
A solution that has the same concentration of particles as the cells it surrounds
What happens to cells when they are surrounded by a hypertonic solution?
The cells dehydrate and shrink
What is the process that requires cellular energy to move molecules into cells regardless of their electrical charge or the concentrations already in the cell?
Active transport
What is the main cause of fluid deficit in patients unable to take in sufficient quantities of fluid?
Inability to ingest food or liquids
What are some signs of fluid volume excess?
Weight gain, crackles in the lungs, slow bounding pulse, elevated blood pressure, and possibly edema.
What can cause a person to suffer from fluid volume excess?
Receiving IV fluid too quickly, tap water enemas, or drinking more fluids than they can eliminate.
What is the term for an excessive accumulation of interstitial fluid?
Edema
What can happen if a person takes in more water than they excrete?
They can suffer from fluid volume excess.
What is a potential cause of fluid volume excess?
Impaired elimination, such as occurs in renal failure.
What can help prevent additional problems in an older adult suffering from nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea?
Offering the patient small amounts of water frequently or an electrolyte solution such as Gatorade.
Which of the following is NOT a major function of water in the body?
Transporting nutrients and waste products
What is the term for a condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity?
Hydrostatic pressure
Which of the following is NOT a major electrolyte in the body?
Phosphorus
What happens to cells when they are surrounded by a hypertonic solution?
They remain unchanged
Which hormone is responsible for reabsorption of water in the renal tubules?
ADH
Which organ is the main site of fluid excretion in the body?
Kidney
What is the process by which substances move from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration until equilibrium is reached?
Diffusion
Which fluid compartment contains fluid within the blood vessels?
Intravascular fluid
Which of the following is NOT a function of sodium (Na+)?
Controlling contractility of the heart
What is the term for a condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity?
Ascites
What is the main function of bicarbonate in the body?
Neutralizing excess acids in the body
Which of the following is NOT a major electrolyte in the body?
Phosphate (PO43-)
Which of the following is a sign of fluid volume excess?
Crackles in the lungs
What is the term for an excessive accumulation of interstitial fluid?
Edema
What is the main cause of fluid deficit in patients unable to take in sufficient quantities of fluid?
Impaired elimination
Which of the following is NOT a major electrolyte in the body?
Calcium
What can help prevent additional problems in an older adult suffering from nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea?
Offering small amounts of water frequently
What determines whether a person has fluid volume deficit or excess?
What is in the vascular space
Which of the following is a sign of fluid volume excess?
Increased pulse rate
What is the main cause of fluid deficit in patients unable to take in sufficient quantities of fluid?
Impaired swallowing
What is the main function of electrolytes in the body?
Maintaining fluid balance
What happens to cells when they are surrounded by a solution that has a greater concentration of solute than the cells have?
Water is drawn out of the cells by osmosis
Which of the following is NOT one of the main functions of water in the body?
To assist in maintenance of hydrogen (H+) balance in the body
What is the term for a solution that has the same concentration of particles as the living cells it surrounds?
Isotonic
What is the major role of sodium in the body?
Controlling the contractility of the heart
What happens to cells when they are surrounded by a solution that has a greater concentration of solute than the cells have?
They shrink and lose water
Which of the following is NOT one of the processes involved in the movement of water and electrolytes in the body?
Active transport
What is the term for the movement of water and suspended substances outward through a semipermeable membrane?
Filtration
Which of the following is NOT a major function of electrolytes in the body?
Providing energy
What is the main cause of fluid deficit in patients unable to take in sufficient quantities of fluid?
Inadequate fluid intake
What is the term for a condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity?
Ascites
What is the term for a condition characterized by an excessive accumulation of interstitial fluid?
Edema
What is the term for a solution that has the same concentration of particles as the living cells it surrounds?
Isotonic solution
What hormone is released by the adrenal cortex to promote reabsorption of sodium from kidney tubules?
Aldosterone
Which of the following factors seem to interact with other things to determine how long a person lives?
All of the above
According to the biologic clock theory, what happens when too many cells quit functioning?
The person eventually dies
Which of the following is NOT a myth about older adults?
Older adults are typically isolated from their families
What is individualized aging?
Viewing older adults as individuals
Which age group is considered the 'very old' in the older adult population?
85 and beyond
What is the current retirement age for full coverage under the federal Social Security system?
67 years
What is the most rapidly growing group among older adults?
The very old
What percentage of the population over age 75 has some hearing loss?
50%
Which theory of aging suggests that body cells and organs eventually wear out, similar to machinery?
Wear-and-tear theory
What is a major contributor to longer life?
All of the above
Which theory of aging suggests that people who remain interested and active will continue to enjoy life and live longer?
Activity theory
What factor has been a contributing factor to longevity in the past, with women generally outliving men?
Gender
Which of the following is a risk factor and possibly an early sign of dementia?
Depression
What percentage of older adults have dementia?
5% to 15%
What is the most common type of dementia?
Alzheimer disease
What is a positive behavior for healthy aging?
Regular physical examinations
Which of the following is NOT a common health concern in older adults?
Obesity
What is the leading cause of death in older adults?
Heart disease
Which of the following is NOT a sign of depression in older adults?
Dehydration
What is a potential cause of impaired cognition in older adults?
Misuse of medications
Which of the following is NOT a recommendation for performing patient education for older adults?
Use visual aids in large print and bright colors
What is short-term memory loss in older adults?
Problems remembering recent events
What is a potential cause of short-term memory loss in older adults?
Problems with concentration and attention span
What is the purpose of elder hostel programs for older adults?
To provide stimulating learning opportunities
What is the importance of good lighting in patient education for older adults?
To enhance visual aids
What is the term for the inability to recall much of yesterday but with intact long-term memory?
Short-term memory loss
Study Notes
Fluid and Electrolytes
- Water makes up approximately 55% of the adult male body and 50% of the adult female body.
- Water plays a crucial role in the body, including regulating body temperature, lubricating joints, and aiding in the digestion and absorption of nutrients.
- Electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and chloride, help regulate various bodily functions, including heart function, nerve function, and muscle contractions.
Electrolytes
- Sodium (Na+) is an essential electrolyte that helps regulate blood pressure and support nerve and muscle function.
- Potassium (K+) is an electrolyte that helps regulate heart function and maintain healthy blood pressure.
- Chloride (Cl-) is an electrolyte that helps maintain fluid balance and supports the digestive system.
- Bicarbonate (HCO3-) is an electrolyte that helps regulate pH levels and neutralize excess acids in the body.
- Calcium (Ca2+) is an electrolyte that helps regulate muscle contractions and maintain healthy bone density.
Fluid Balance
- Fluid balance is essential for maintaining proper bodily functions, including regulating body temperature, lubricating joints, and aiding in the digestion and absorption of nutrients.
- Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, causing an imbalance in the body's fluid levels.
- Fluid volume deficit occurs when the body loses more fluids than it takes in, leading to a decrease in blood volume and pressure.
- Fluid volume excess occurs when the body takes in more fluids than it loses, leading to an increase in blood volume and pressure.
Hormones
- The posterior pituitary gland releases the hormone vasopressin, which stimulates the reabsorption of water in the renal tubules.
- The adrenal cortex releases the hormone aldosterone, which promotes the reabsorption of sodium from kidney tubules.
Osmosis
- Osmosis is the process by which water moves across a semipermeable membrane from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration.
- Isotonic solutions have the same concentration of particles as the living cells they surround.
- Hypertonic solutions have a greater concentration of solute than the cells they surround, causing cells to shrink.
- Hypotonic solutions have a lower concentration of solute than the cells they surround, causing cells to swell.
Treatment and Prevention
- Dehydration can be treated by replacing lost fluids and electrolytes.
- Fluid volume deficit can be prevented by drinking plenty of fluids, especially in older adults.
- Fluid volume excess can be prevented by limiting fluid intake, especially in patients with heart failure or kidney disease.
Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalances Quiz: Test your knowledge on identifying and managing fluid and electrolyte imbalances in patients. This quiz focuses on the risks and considerations for older adults, including signs of confusion. Perfect for healthcare professionals looking to enhance their understanding of fluid balance in older patients.
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