308 VanMeter Ch. 2 Fluid & Electrolytes, Acid-Base Imbalances

acidosis

abnormally high acidity (excess hydrogen-ion concentration) of the blood and other body tissues

alkalosis

Abnormally low hydrogen ion concentration in the blood and other body tissues.

anaerobic metabolism

The cellular process in which glucose is metabolized into energy without oxygen. Energy is produced in an inefficient manner with many waste products (including acids)

buffer systems

Compensatory mechanisms that act together to control pH - includes chemical buffers, respiratory system and kidneys

bicarbonate-carbonic acid buffer system

one of the main buffers of plasma in the extracellular fluid, and also a buffer system in intracellular fluid. Regulated by lungs (controlling ventilation and CO2 excretion) and HCO3 reabsorption and H ion excretion in kidneys

bicarbonate

base produced by the kidneys

compensation

attempts by the body to correct acid-base imbalance and maintain homeostasis

aldosterone

Part of the RAAS system. Signals the kidneys to reabsorb sodium and water in the distal convoluted and collecting tubules,which increases blood pressure and decreases urine output.

anion

A negatively charged ion

anorexia

as a manifestation of disease - lack of appetite and intake of food

antidiuretic hormone

released in response to increased blood osmolarity; increases absorption of water in the collecting tubules of the kidneys. Increases intravascular fluid volume and decreases urine output.

ascites

abnormal collection of fluid volume in the abdominal cavity - as pertains to fluid and electrolyte balance is considered third spacing and can be the result of decreased protein in the intravascular space

cation

A positively charged ion

diffusion

Movement of solutes from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration to reach equilibrium

diuretic

a substance that increases urine production and decreases urine osmolarity

dysrhythmia

An abnormality in the rhythm of the heartbeat (also known as arrhythmia)

extracellular fluid

outside of the cell; includes intravascular, interstitial and transcellular

filtration

movement of fluid and solutes through capillary membranes due to hydrostatic pressure

hydrostatic pressure

Pressure exerted by a volume of fluid against a wall, membrane, or some other structure that encloses the fluid.

hypertonic

(of a solution) having a higher osmotic pressure than a comparison solution.

hypervolemia

Usually refers to excessive intravascular volume

hypothalmus

helps control/ produce hormone secretion by most other endocrine glands, produces ADH responsible for regulating water balance

hypotonic

(of a solution) having a lower osmotic pressure than a comparison solution

hypovolemia

Usually refers to deficient intravascular volume

interstitial fluid

Fills the space between the cells; allows for the movement of material into and out of cells

intracellular fluid

Also called cytoplasm. The watery solution found within cells.

intravascular fluid

the fluid within the circulatory system; blood plasma.

isotonic

(used of solutions) having the same or equal osmotic pressure

osmoreceptor

Located on the hypothalamus, it detects changes in osmolarity and signals for release of ADH.

osmosis

movement of water from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration across a semipermeable membrane

osmotic pressure

the pulling pressure of a solution; based on concentration of solutes

oncotic pressure

a form of osmotic pressure exerted by proteins in blood plasma that usually tends to pull water into the circulatory system

parasthesias

pins & needles feeling; numbness, tingling, etc.

skin turgor

Measure of hydration, which tests how quickly the skin returns to its normal position after being pinched

tetany

Constant muscle contractions; associated with hypocalcemia and hypoparathyroidism.

transcellular

compartment of extracellular fluids, which include cerebrospinal, pericardial, pancreatic, pleural, intraocular, biliary, peritoneal, and synovial fluids

hyponatremia

Decrease of sodium in the blood either from overhydration related to increased intake or decreased excretion of fluid or by abnormal sodium losses

hypernatremia

An elevation of sodium in the blood either from dehydration, or increased sodium intake or retention

edema

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in interstitial spaces of tissues.

albumin

most abundant plasma protein; responsible for most of oncotic pressure

dehydration

decreased total fluid volume status (not just intravascular)

third spacing

the movement of intravascular fluid to nonvascular fluid compartments, where it becomes trapped and useless (results in hypovolemia)

cerebral edema

Increase in the fluid (intracellular or extracellular) within the brain; can be caused by hyponatremia)

lethargy

Lack of energy; sluggishness

hypokalemia

A condition in which an inadequate amount of potassium, the major intracellular cation, is found in the circulatory bloodstream.

hyperkalemia

An abnormally high concentration of potassium ions in the blood; high potassium

hypercalcemia

Abnormally high concentrations of calcium circulating in the blood instead of being stored in the bones

hypocalcemia

low calcium in the blood

resorption

When bone takes back calcium from the blood

reabsorption

when blood takes back calcium from bone -- also occurs in kidneys when glucose, sodium, potassium and other substances are removed from filtrate and returned to blood

Cvostek's sign

abnormal spasm of the facial muscle; a sign of hypocalcemia

Trousseau's sign

A sign of hypocalcemia . Carpal spasm caused by inflating a blood pressure cuff above the client's systolic pressure and leaving it in place for 3 minutes.

sodium bicarbonate-carbonic acid system

buffer system that includes the combination of carbon dioxide with water and a bicarbonate ion. The normal ratio of bicarbonate ion to carbonic acid is 20:1, resulting in a normal pH of 7.4