Fluid and Electrolytes in the Human Body
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Questions and Answers

What percentage of total body weight is composed of intracellular fluids?

  • 50%
  • 28%
  • 17%
  • 42% (correct)

    • What is the term for the movement of water into or out of a cell based on the concentration of solutes?

  • Osmolysis
  • Ion Transport
  • Fluid Tonicity (correct)
  • Electrolyte Balance

    • What is the primary function of the kidneys in maintaining fluid and electrolyte homeostasis?

  • Removing waste products
  • Regulating electrolyte concentration (correct)
  • Filtering blood
  • Maintaining blood pressure

    • What is the term for positively charged ions?

    <p>Cations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the approximate volume of intracellular fluid in a male adult?

    <p>28 liters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the normal concentration of potassium in the intravascular fluid?

    <p>5 mEq/L</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What would happen if a red blood cell is placed in a hypotonic solution?

    <p>The cell would swell</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a newborn infant, what percentage of total body fluid is extracellular fluid?

    <p>50%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of sodium in the body?

    <p>To regulate water balance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following patients is at risk for fluid volume excess?

    <p>A patient with altered renal function</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the normal range of sodium in the extracellular fluid?

    <p>135-145 mEq/L</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it important to elevate extremities in patients with fluid volume excess?

    <p>To reduce dependent edema</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What hormone plays a key role in regulating sodium reabsorption in the renal tubule?

    <p>Aldosterone</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for a condition where sodium levels are too low in the body?

    <p>Hyponatremia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism of osmosis?

    <p>Diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which hormone regulates fluid intake?

    <p>Thirst</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the hallmark of diabetes insipidus?

    <p>ADH deficiency leading to polyuria and polydipsia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary cause of hypovolemia?

    <p>Loss of water and electrolytes in the same proportion as they exist in normal body fluids</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the hallmark of SIADH?

    <p>Inappropriate secretion of ADH with water retention</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism of filtration?

    <p>Movement across a membrane, under pressure, from higher to lower pressure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary cause of fluid volume excess?

    <p>Compromised regulatory mechanisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of antidiuretic hormone?

    <p>Promotion of water retention</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the hallmark of hypovolemia?

    <p>Acute weight loss</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism of active transport?

    <p>Movement of ions against osmotic pressure to an area of higher pressure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary cause of fluid volume excess (hypervolemia)?

    <p>Abnormal retention of water and sodium in the ECF</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A patient with fluid volume deficit is expected to experience what type of pulse?

    <p>Weak and rapid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the best indicator of fluid volume status in an adult?

    <p>Daily weights</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the accumulation of fluid within the interstitial spaces?

    <p>Edema</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of collaborative care management for fluid volume excess?

    <p>Restore normal fluid balance</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the decrease in systolic blood pressure of more than 15 mmHg or an increase in heart rate of more than 15 beats/min?

    <p>Orthostatic hypotension</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of caffeine on fluid balance?

    <p>Diuretic effect</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the loss of water and electrolytes?

    <p>Fluid volume deficit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the retention of water and sodium in the ECF?

    <p>Fluid volume excess</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary complication of edema?

    <p>Dehydration and hypovolemic shock</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Fluid and Electrolytes

    • Distribution of body fluids:
      • Intracellular fluids (ICF): 42% of total body weight, 28 liters in males, 20 liters in females
      • Extracellular fluids (ECF): 17% of total body weight, consists of interstitial, intravascular, and transcellular fluids

    Electrolytes

    • Definition: charged particles (ions) dissolved in body fluids
    • Types of electrolytes:
      • Cations (positively charged): Na+, K+, Ca++, H+
      • Anions (negatively charged): Cl-, HCO3-, PO43-
    • Electrolyte concentration differs in ICF and ECF

    Normal Electrolyte Content and Body Fluids

    • Sodium (Na+): 142-146 mEq/L in ECF, 15 mEq/L in ICF
    • Potassium (K+): 5 mEq/L in ECF, 150 mEq/L in ICF
    • Calcium (Ca++): 5 mEq/L in ECF, 2 mEq/L in ICF
    • Chloride (Cl-): 102-114 mEq/L in ECF, 1 mEq/L in ICF
    • Bicarbonate (HCO3-): 27 mEq/L in ECF, 10 mEq/L in ICF

    Homeostasis

    • Maintained by:
      • Water movement
      • Ion transport
      • Kidney function
    • Regulation of body fluids:
      • Thirst regulates fluid intake
      • Fluid output: kidneys, skin, lungs, and GI tract

    Fluid Movement

    • Types of fluid movement:
      • Diffusion: movement of dissolved particles through a semipermeable membrane
      • Osmosis: diffusion of water across a selectively permeable membrane
      • Filtration: movement across a membrane under pressure
      • Active transport: movement of ions against osmotic pressure

    Diabetes Insipidus

    • Causes:
      • Hypothalamic tumors, leukemia, lymphoma, sarcoidosis, head trauma, general anesthetics
      • Oat-cell carcinoma of the lung, leukemia, head injury, brain tumor, pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, tuberculosis
    • Pathophysiology:
      • ADH deficiency leading to polyuria and polydipsia
      • Inappropriate secretion of ADH with water retention
    • Laboratory findings:
      • Normal serum sodium and osmolarity if thirst mechanisms intact
      • Low serum sodium and osmolarity if thirst mechanisms impaired
    • Signs and symptoms:
      • Polyuria, nocturia, continuous thirst, polydipsia, craving ice water
      • Weight gain, fingerprinting edema, no peripheral edema

    Hypovolemia

    • Definition: fluid volume deficit occurs when loss of ECF volume exceeds intake of fluid
    • Causes:
      • Vomiting, diarrhea, fistulas, fever, excessive sweating, burns, blood loss, GI suction, 3rd space fluid shifts, decreased intake
    • Signs and symptoms:
      • Acute weight loss, decreased skin turgor, oliguria, concentrated urine, weak rapid pulse, > cap refill, low CVP, hypotension, flat neck veins, dizzy, weak, increased thirst, confusion, tachycardia, muscle cramps, sunken eyes
    • Laboratory findings:
      • Increased hgb and hct, increased serum and urine osmolality and specific gravity, decreased urine sodium, increased BUN and creatinine, increased urine specific gravity and osmolality

    Hypervolemia

    • Definition: fluid volume excess occurs when abnormal retention of water and sodium in ECF
    • Causes:
      • Compromised regulatory mechanisms: renal failure, heart failure, cirrhosis, overzealous admin of Na+ fluids, fluid shifts, prolonged corticosteroid therapy, severe stress, hyperaldosteronism
    • Signs and symptoms:
      • Acute weight gain, peripheral edema and ascites, distended jugular veins, crackles, elevated CVP, SOB, hypertension, bounding pulse, cough, tachypnea
    • Laboratory findings:
      • Decreased hgb and hct, decreased serum and urine osmolality, decreased urine sodium and specific gravity

    Fluid Volume Deficit; Nursing Care

    • Assess vital signs regularly
    • Postural (orthostatic) hypotension: ↓ in sys BP > 15 mmHg or ↑ HR > 15 beats/min
    • Daily weights: single best indicator of fluid volume status in adults
    • Apply safety measures: orthostatic hypotension, dizziness, and falls
    • Accurate record of intake and output: record drainage from body orifices and wound(s)
    • Administer free water (flush) to patients receiving enteral feedings
    • Urge caution in drinking coffee, tea, and colas with caffeine, which has a diuretic effect

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    Description

    Learn about the distribution of body fluids, including intracellular and extracellular fluids, and the different types of electrolytes, including cations and anions.

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