Anion
Negatively charged particle
Bicarbonate
Substance used as a buffer to maintain the normal levels of acidity (pH) in blood and other fluids in the body
Cation
Positively charged electrolyte
Chloride
Major anion (negatively charged ion) found in the fluid outside of cells and in blood
Colloids
Proteins or other large molecules that remain suspended in the blood for a long period of time and are too large to cross membranes
Crystalloids
Intravenous solutions that contain electrolytes in concentrations similar to those of plasma
Dehydration
Condition that results from excessive loss of body water
Edema
Presence of abnormally large amounts of fluid in the intercellular tissue spaces of the body
Electrolytes
Small charged molecules essential for homeostasis that play an important role in body chemistry
Extracellular fluid
Type of fluid that surrounds the cells; consists mainly of plasma found in blood vessels
Homeostasis
Constancy or balance that is maintained by the body despite constant changes
Hypercalcemia
Condition in which the total serum calcium level is higher than 5.16 mEq/liter (2.56 mEq/liter ionized)
Hyperchloremia
Condition in which the serum chloride level is higher than 107 mEq/liter
Hyperkalemia
Condition in which the serum potassium level is higher than 5.5 mEq/liter
Hypermagnesemia
Condition in which the serum level of magnesium is higher than 2.5 mEq/liter
Hypernatremia
Elevation of the serum sodium concentration higher than 145 mEq/liter
Hypertonic
Fluids with a higher osmolarity than serum
Hypocalcemia
Condition in which the total serum calcium level is lower than 4.3 mEq/liter (2.26 mEq/L ionized)
Hypochloremia
Condition in which the serum chloride level is lower than 97 mEq/L
Hypokalemia
Condition in which potassium is lost from the body, resulting in serum potassium level lower than 3.5 mEq/L
Hypomagnesemia
Condition in which the serum level of magnesium is lower than 1.5 mEq/L
Hyponatremia
condition of decreased serum sodium concentration below the normal range (<136 mEq/L)
Hypophosphatemia
Condition in which the serum phosphate level is defined as mild (2 to 2.5 mg/dL, or 0.65 to 0.81 mmol/L), moderate (1 to 2 mg/dL, or 0.32 to 0.65 mmol/L), or severe (<1 mg/dL, or 0.32 mmol/L)
Hypotonic
Refers to fluid with less osmolarity than serum
Intracellular fluid
Fluid inside cells
Ions
Charged particles
Isotonic
Refers to fluid close to the same osmolarity as serum
Magnesium
Fourth most common cation in the body
Milliequivalent (mEq)
Unit used to measure the number of ionic charges or electrovalent bonds (electrolytes) in a solution
Osmolarity
Osmotic pressure of a solution expressed as milliosmoles per liter (mOsm/L) or millimoles per liter (mmol/L) of the solution
Osmosis
The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from a higher to lower concentration
Potassium
Main electrolyte in extracellular fluid
Sodium
Chief electrolyte in interstitial fluid