Fluids and Electrolytes, Acids and Bases

Total Body Water (TBW) in Adults

60% of body weight since it slowly decreases with age.

Total Body Water in Infants

75-80% of body weight so they are susceptible to significant changes in this.

Total Body Water in Elderly

Further decline in percentage of TBW due to decreased free fat mass and decreased muscle mass. Kidneys less efficient and feeling of thirst may decline. Healthy ones can adequately maintain their hydration status

Intracellular fluid (ICF)

comprises all the fluid within the cells, 2/3 of TBW

Extracellular fluid (ECF)

all the fluid outside the cells, 1/3 of TBW.

Starling forces

Net filtration = (forces favoring filtration) - (Forces opposing filtration)

Capillary hydrostatic pressure

primary force for fluid movement out of the arteriolar end of the capillary and into the interstitial space

Interstitial hydrostatic pressure

promotes movement of fluid and proteins into the lymphatic space

Osmolality

the number of milliosmoles per kilogram of water

Osmolarity

the number of milliosmoles per liter of solution

Edema

excessive accumulation of fluid within the interstitial fluid
Cause: possibly obstruction of lymph circulation
Sx: weight gain, swelling, puffiness, tight-fitting clothes and shoes, limited movement of affected joints, slower wound healing.
Dx: based on s

Generalized edema

manifested by a more uniform distribution of fluid in interstitial spaces

Localized edema

limited to a site of trauma, like a sprained finger.

Pitting Edema

a depression left in the skin when pressure gets applied

Sodium

normal range of 135 to 145 mEq/L
90% of ECF cations (positively charged)
Has a lot to do with nerve/muscle functions, and acid base balance

Aldosterone

secretion of this influenced by blood volume/pressure and concentrations of sodium/potassium.
Causes increased reabsorption of sodium, water retention and excretion of potassium

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

kidney releases an enzyme called renin when blood pressure or volume reduces, or decrease in sodium levels or increase in potassium levels> renin stimulates the formation of angiotensin I> angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) converts angiotensin I to II i

Natriuretic peptides

Hormones produced by the myocardial atria.
released during an increase in transmural atrial pressure (increased volume), which
may occur with congestive heart failure.
promotes urinary excretion of sodium

Chloride

primary ECF anion (negatively charged) that provides electroneutrality, proportional to sodium levels.

Anti-Diuretic hormone (ADH)

secreted when plasma osmolality goes up or circulating blood volume goes down and blood pressure drops. increases water reabsorption into the plasma from the distal tubules and collecting ducts of the kidney.

Isotonic Alteration

Normal concentration of sodium in the ECF and no change in shifts of fluid in or out of cell; ideal amount of fluid.

Hypernatremia

when sodium levels >145 mEq/L. Water moves from ICF to ECF.
Causes: Too much sodium in the blood or loss of water
Sx: intracellular dehydration, confulsions, pulmonary edema, hypotension, tachycardia, etc.

Water deficit

hypertonic dehydration, rare
Cause: lack of access to water, pure water losses, hyperventilation and increased elimination of water
Sx: Hypovolemia, tachycardia, weak impulses, and postural hypotension. Headache, thirst, dry skin, fever, weight loss, conc

Hypertonic Alteration

increased osmolality above normal (>294 mOsm). Increase sodium concentration in ECF (hypernatremia), making water go out of the cells.
Causes: increased salt intake or deficit of water in ECF.

Hypotonic Alteration

When osmolality of ECF is less normal (<280 mOsm). Decrease in ECF sodium (hyponatremia), making water go into cells making them swell and possibly burst.
Causes: sodium deficit in ECF or the water excess. ex unsweet tea

Hyponatremia

when sodium level decreases <135. water will then move into cells
Causes: loss of sodium, dilution of blood from too much water or lack of eating
Sx: hypoosmolality and swelling in the tissues, lethargy, confusion, decreased reflexes, seizures and comas
T

Syndrome of inappropriate ADH (SIADH)

when ADH does not produce. this can cause water excess.

Hypochloremia

To have low chloride, <97 mEq/L. result of hyponatremia or elevated bicarbonate concentrations.
Causes: mainly excessive vomiting. In some cases, cystic fibrosis and altered acid-base balance
Sx: lethargy, confusion, apprehension, depressed reflexes, seiz

Water Excess

water intoxication from compulsive water drinking or SIADH.
Sx: cerebral edema with confusion. Weakness, nausea, muscle twitching, headache, and weight gain.
Dx: Check for decreased sodium concentration in urine or a reduced hematocrit due to dilutional e

Potassium

ECF concentration range is 3.5 to 5.0.
important for transmissive nerve impulse or cardiac impulses.
Balance of this is regulated by kidney, by aldosterone/insulin secretion, and by changes in pH.

Potassium adaptation

ability of the body to accommodate to increased levels of potassium intake over time. Sudden increase = fatal.

Hypokalemia

potassium deficiency <3.5 mEq/L
Causes: reduced intake of potassium, increased entry of potassium from ECF to ICF, increased aldosterone secretion and increased loss of potassium
Sx: decrease in neuromuscular excitability, smooth muscle atony (lack of ton

Hyperkalemia

Excessive potassium >5.5 mEq/L
Causes: impaired kidneys, medications, increased potassium intake, shift of potassium from ICF to ECF.
Sx: if mild, increased neuromuscular irritability like tingling of lips + fingers, restlessness, intestinal cramping and

Calcium

an ion mostly located in the bone.
responsible for bone and teeth formation, blood coagulation, hormone secretion and cell receptor function, and transmission of nerve impulses.

Phosphate

normal concentration range 2.5-4.5 mg/dL
mostly located in bone, similar to calcium
acts as an anion buffer in acid-base regulation and provides energy for muscle contraction

Hypocalcemia

when calcium concentration goes below normal (<8.5 mg/dl)
Causes: due to not enough intake/decreased vitamin D levels, inadquate intestinal absorption, or deposition of calcium into blood.
Sx: tingling, muscle spasm, intestinal cramping, hyperactive bowel

Hypercalcemia

when calcium concentration goes above normal (>12 mg/dl)
Causes: too much intake/excess vitamin D, a number of diseases like hyperparathyroidism, bone metastases, sarcoidosis.
Sx: fatigue, weakness, lethargy. very similar to not having enough calcium

Acid-Base Balance

ph 0-14: 0 is acidic, 14 is alkaline.
normal ph range 7.35-7.45.
different body fluids have different pH values (ex. pH of stomach acid=1-2)
the principle regulators of this includes the renal and respiratory systems, and body's buffer systems, together.

Body acids

end products of protein, carbohydrate, and fat (basically all the food we eat) metabolism. balanced by basic substances in the body to maintain normal pH.
Two kinds: volatile and nonvolatile

General relationship between ions

Wherever calcium goes, phosphate follows. Wherever sodium is, chloride is right there. Wherever salt goes, water follows.

Volatile acids

weak acids that do not release their hydrogen easily. Can be eliminated as CO2 gas.

Nonvolatile acids

strong acids like sulfuric, phosphoric, and other organic acids. They readily release their hydrogen. they can be eliminated by the kidney.

Carbonic acid

a volatile acid of the body that does not release their hydrogen easily, but in the presence of the enzyme carbonic annhydrase, it readily dissociates into CO2 and water. the acid then gets eliminated by CO2 gas

Buffering pair

consists of a weak acid and its matching base. used to absorb excessive acid or base without a significant change in pH.

Carbonic acid-bicarbonate

a major extracellular buffer that operates in both the lung and the kidney

Acid-Base Balance by Respiratory System

based on pH levels, this system compensates by increasing or decreasing hyperventilation to blow off or retain CO2, respectively.

Effects of CO2 in the blood

more pCO2 means increased carbonic acid fomation. Increase in carbonic acid leads to higher ph in blood.

Acid-Base Balance by Renal System

based on the pH levels, this system compensates by producing more or less acidic or alkaline urine

Four categories of acid-base imbalances

-respiratory acidosis
-respiratory alkalosis
-metabolic acidosis
-metabolic alkalosis

Anion gap

consists of the sum of concentrations of measures anions that is subtracted from the sum of the ocncentrations of measured cations. this equation is used to provide clues to the cause of metabolic acidosis

ROME

Respiratory
Opposite (pH and CO2)
Metabolic
Equal (pH and bicarbonate)

Metabolic acidosis

caused by decrease of bicarbonate from ECF. pH then decreases.
Cause: Often from renal failure since hydrogen ions are not getting produced in the kidney. diarrhea = excretion of bicarbonic acids.
Sx: anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal di

Metabolic alkalosis

increase in plasma bicarbonate concentration. pH then increases.
Causes: loss of metabolic acids via VOMITING or taking a lot of antacids

Respiratory acidosis

decreased ventilation> lack of breathing> not breathing out CO2> CO2 concentration build up in the blood> pH then decreases
pneumonia COPD
"slidin' the pH Down

Respiratory alkalosis

occurs with alveolar hyperventilation and excessive reduction of CO2, or hypocapnia that makes pH then increases
ex:hyperventilation into paper bag to solve loss of CO2
"Kickin' the pH up