Hypovolemia and Blood Pressure

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Questions and Answers

What is a common symptom of dehydration?

Complaints of thirst (correct)

Increased urine output

Decreased blood pressure

Weight gain due to excess fluid

What determines the movement of fluid between the interstitium and intravascular space?

Tissue hydrostatic pressure and capillary colloidal osmotic pressure

Capillary hydrostatic pressure and tissue colloidal osmotic pressure (correct)

Tonicity of extracellular fluid and temperature

Capillary colloidal osmotic pressure and tissue hydrostatic pressure

What is the primary function of the fluid compartments?

To eliminate waste products

To regulate body temperature

To store energy

To maintain vascular volume and provide an environment for cellular metabolism (correct)

What is the term for the type of fluid volume excess where there is a proportionate gain in water and sodium?

Isotonic expansion Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the hormone that affects fluid output by regulating water reabsorption in the collecting duct of the nephron?

ADH Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential complication of isotonic fluid volume excess?

Pulmonary edema Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the type of fluid imbalance characterized by a gain in water without a corresponding gain in sodium?

Fluid concentration problem Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of treatment for isotonic fluid volume excess?

To restrict fluids and sodium Signup and view all the answers

What will occur to blood pressure if an individual loses a significant amount of fluid?

It will be low even when laying down. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary response of the body to compensate for a decrease in blood pressure?

Increase in heart rate Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for low blood volume?

Hypovolemia Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of checking skin turgor?

To assess hydration status and elasticity of the skin Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a drop in blood pressure that occurs when an individual stands up from a laying down position?

Orthostatic hypotension Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of a fluid deficit on the body's ability to regulate temperature?

It increases the body's ability to retain heat Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a pulse that is weak and faint?

Thready pulse Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of a fluid deficit on circulation?

It impairs circulation Signup and view all the answers

What is the normal serum level of sodium?

135-148 mEq/L Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of sodium in the body?

Controlling the concentration of fluid Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the condition characterized by a serum sodium level of less than 135 mEq/L?

Hyponatremia Signup and view all the answers

What is a predisposing factor for hyponatremia?

Skin loss due to excessive sweating Signup and view all the answers

What is a cause of hypernatremia?

Excessive sodium intake Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Na+/K+ pump in maintaining sodium levels?

It maintains sodium levels Signup and view all the answers

What is a common source of sodium gain in a normal individual?

Diet Signup and view all the answers

What is a common source of sodium loss in a normal individual?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is a common finding in patients with hyperkalemia due to the effect of potassium on nerve endings?

Paresthesia, numbness, and tingling Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of hyperkalemia on the heart?

Cardiac dysrhythmias and possible cardiac arrest Signup and view all the answers

What is the treatment for mild hyperkalemia?

A low-potassium diet Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of hyperkalemia on smooth muscle in the GI tract?

Increased peristalsis and diarrhea Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of severe hyperkalemia on the concentration gradient across the cell membrane?

The concentration gradient is lost, and the cell cannot repolarize Signup and view all the answers

What is the treatment for hypokalemia?

Oral potassium supplements Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of hypokalemia on the generation of action potentials in nerve cells?

Easier to generate action potentials Signup and view all the answers

What is the treatment for severe hyperkalemia with dysrhythmias or paralysis?

Dialysis to remove excess potassium Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of calcium in the body?

To act as a membrane stabilizer Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of calcium is present in the extracellular fluid?

0.1% Signup and view all the answers

How does calcium affect the generation of an action potential?

It affects the ease of generating an action potential Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the amount of free/ionized calcium when there is a change in how much calcium is bound to albumin?

It decreases Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of calcium in the blood travels attached to plasma protein like albumin?

50% Signup and view all the answers

Where is the majority of calcium stored in the body?

Bones and teeth Signup and view all the answers

What is the charge carried by calcium?

2 electrical charges Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for calcium's role in maintaining the electrical properties of the cell membrane?

Membrane stabilizer Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fluid Volume Deficit

Hypovolemia occurs with low blood volume, leading to impaired circulation and decreased blood pressure (BP).
Vital signs indicate BP drop as an initial assessment; orthostatic hypotension may occur with positional changes (lying to standing).
Severe fluid deficit results in persistently low BP, even when supine.
Compensatory increase in heart rate (HR) aims to raise BP; pulse quality may be weak (thready) due to decreased blood volume.
Elevated body temperature may indicate heat retention from reduced blood flow to the skin.
Skin turgor assessments show hydration status; skin tenting indicates dehydration.
Common symptoms include weight loss from fluid loss, thirst, and decreased urine output with concentrated urine.

Fluid Volume Excess

Isotonic fluid volume excess occurs from increased extracellular fluid and sodium.
Assessment findings include elevated BP, unchanged HR (but may be full or bounding), weight gain, edema (peripheral and pulmonary), and neck vein distension.
Fluid and sodium restrictions may be necessary; diuretics are prescribed for severe cases with signs of edema.

Electrolyte Balance: Sodium

Sodium is the primary cation in extracellular fluid, normal serum levels range from 135-148 mEq/L.
Regulates extracellular and vascular volume, fluid concentration, and resting membrane potential.
Sources of sodium gain include diet; loss occurs through kidneys, GI tract, and skin.
Hyponatremia (<135 mEq/L) results from excessive sodium-free fluid replacement, skin losses, GI losses, or excessive water intake.
Hypernatremia (>148 mEq/L) results from excessive water loss or sodium intake from various sources.

Hyponatremia

Occurs with states of low sodium, dehydration, excessive fluid administration, and impaired renal function.
Assessment may reveal neurological symptoms, lethargy, confusion, or seizures; treatment focuses on fluid and sodium balance.

Electrolyte Balance: Potassium

Potassium equilibrium is crucial; normal levels impact the generation of action potentials (AP) in nerve and muscle tissue.
Hyperkalemia indicates excessive extracellular potassium, leading to easier depolarization and potential dysrhythmias.
Symptoms include paresthesia, diarrhea due to smooth muscle hyperactivity, and risk of cardiac arrest in severe cases.
Hypokalemia treatment may involve potassium supplements or IV administration, with caution against rapid infusion.

Electrolyte Balance: Calcium

Calcium exists predominantly in bones and teeth; it plays a key role as a membrane stabilizer.
Functions in membrane potential regulation, indirectly influencing nerve and muscle excitability.
Calcium levels influenced by protein binding; changes in albumin levels affect ionized calcium and can cause imbalances.
Assessment of calcium must consider both bound and free forms, as imbalances affect physiological processes.

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Description

This quiz covers the effects of hypovolemia, a deficit of blood volume, on blood pressure and circulation. It explains how impaired circulation and low blood pressure can occur when there is a lack of fluid in the body.