NMNC 3210 - EXAM 1| Ques ons and answers |
Updated RATED A+ | NEW 2026
How is fluid balance maintained in the body?
Electrolytes help maintain fluid levels.
Kidneys help maintain electrolyte levels - filtra on of electrolytes and water occur from blood,
some being returned to blood, and rest excreted with urine.
What is the role of an diure c hormones (ADH)?
Regulates/balances water level in blood.
Acts to maintain BP, volume, and ssue water.
Seen in concentra on of urine.
Produced by the Hypothalamus - stored in Pituitary Gland, which directs the Kidney on how
much *water is needed to be conserved.
What happens if there is a decrease in Extracellular fluid (ECF) volume? Or if the ECF becomes
hypertonic?
Osmoreceptors, within Hypothalamus, s mulate Pituitary to increase an diure c hormones to
be secreted.
"DON'T PEE HORMONE"
Alters renal collec ng duct permeability - water to be reabsorbed or eliminated. Reten on
increases fluid volume and BP - decreasing urine ouput.
What is the mnuemonic for Hypokalemia?
"Body is trying to DITCH potassium"
Drugs (laxa ves/diure cs)
Inadequate intake of K+ (anorexia/nausea)
Too much water intake (diul ng K+)
Cushings syndrome (high secre on of Aldosterone)
Heavy fluid loss (NG suc on, vomi ng, diarrhea, swea ng, wound drainage)
Other causes of Hypokalemia?
,Alkalosis and Hyperinsulinism
What does the pulse feel like with Hypokalemia?
Weak. Irregular and thready
What are the 7 L's of Hypokalemia?
Lethargic
Low shallow respiratory
Lethal cardiac changes
Loss of urine
Leg cramps
Limp muscles
Low BP and HR
What drugs are potassium sparing?
Spironolactone, aldactone, maxide, and triamterene
How is electrolyte balance maintained in the body?
By the Kidneys - filters electrolytes and water from blood. Some returned to blood and some
excreted through urine.
Role of sodium?
Regulates fluid balance
Role of calcium?
Blood coagula on
Role of potassium?
Cardiac rhythm and muscle contrac on
Role of magnesium?
Immune func on
Role of phosphorus?
Acid-Base balance
Normal levels of potassium?
, 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
"Cardiac Rhythm"
Where can potassium be found and what is its func on?
Intracellular and generates electrical impulses in the body to allow muscles and the brain to
func on.
Hyperkalemia
Too much potassium. Causes abnormal electrical conduc on of the heart (dysrhythmia), Kidney
failure.
*Heart and GI are ght and contracted - causing confusion, diarrhea, hyperac ve bowel
syndrome, muscle weakness, and some mes paralysis of extremi es
Hypokalemia
To li?le potassium. Caused from vomi ng, diarrhea, swea ng, and drugs - diure c or laxa ves.
*Heart is low and slow - weak pulse, cons pa on, and polyuria (large volumes of dilute urine).
Normal sodium levels?
135-145 mEq/L
"Fluid Balance"
Where is sodium found and what is its func on?
Extracellular/plasma of the bloodstream. Regulates water and helps with electrical signals
within body - allows muscles to fire and brain to work.
Hypernatremia
*BIG AND BLOATED
Too much sodium.
Symptoms: poyldipsia (abnormal thirst), flushed, edema, low grade fever. Late signs: swollen
tongue, nausea/vomi ng (N/V), increased muscle tone.
Hyponatremia
Updated RATED A+ | NEW 2026
How is fluid balance maintained in the body?
Electrolytes help maintain fluid levels.
Kidneys help maintain electrolyte levels - filtra on of electrolytes and water occur from blood,
some being returned to blood, and rest excreted with urine.
What is the role of an diure c hormones (ADH)?
Regulates/balances water level in blood.
Acts to maintain BP, volume, and ssue water.
Seen in concentra on of urine.
Produced by the Hypothalamus - stored in Pituitary Gland, which directs the Kidney on how
much *water is needed to be conserved.
What happens if there is a decrease in Extracellular fluid (ECF) volume? Or if the ECF becomes
hypertonic?
Osmoreceptors, within Hypothalamus, s mulate Pituitary to increase an diure c hormones to
be secreted.
"DON'T PEE HORMONE"
Alters renal collec ng duct permeability - water to be reabsorbed or eliminated. Reten on
increases fluid volume and BP - decreasing urine ouput.
What is the mnuemonic for Hypokalemia?
"Body is trying to DITCH potassium"
Drugs (laxa ves/diure cs)
Inadequate intake of K+ (anorexia/nausea)
Too much water intake (diul ng K+)
Cushings syndrome (high secre on of Aldosterone)
Heavy fluid loss (NG suc on, vomi ng, diarrhea, swea ng, wound drainage)
Other causes of Hypokalemia?
,Alkalosis and Hyperinsulinism
What does the pulse feel like with Hypokalemia?
Weak. Irregular and thready
What are the 7 L's of Hypokalemia?
Lethargic
Low shallow respiratory
Lethal cardiac changes
Loss of urine
Leg cramps
Limp muscles
Low BP and HR
What drugs are potassium sparing?
Spironolactone, aldactone, maxide, and triamterene
How is electrolyte balance maintained in the body?
By the Kidneys - filters electrolytes and water from blood. Some returned to blood and some
excreted through urine.
Role of sodium?
Regulates fluid balance
Role of calcium?
Blood coagula on
Role of potassium?
Cardiac rhythm and muscle contrac on
Role of magnesium?
Immune func on
Role of phosphorus?
Acid-Base balance
Normal levels of potassium?
, 3.5-5.0 mEq/L
"Cardiac Rhythm"
Where can potassium be found and what is its func on?
Intracellular and generates electrical impulses in the body to allow muscles and the brain to
func on.
Hyperkalemia
Too much potassium. Causes abnormal electrical conduc on of the heart (dysrhythmia), Kidney
failure.
*Heart and GI are ght and contracted - causing confusion, diarrhea, hyperac ve bowel
syndrome, muscle weakness, and some mes paralysis of extremi es
Hypokalemia
To li?le potassium. Caused from vomi ng, diarrhea, swea ng, and drugs - diure c or laxa ves.
*Heart is low and slow - weak pulse, cons pa on, and polyuria (large volumes of dilute urine).
Normal sodium levels?
135-145 mEq/L
"Fluid Balance"
Where is sodium found and what is its func on?
Extracellular/plasma of the bloodstream. Regulates water and helps with electrical signals
within body - allows muscles to fire and brain to work.
Hypernatremia
*BIG AND BLOATED
Too much sodium.
Symptoms: poyldipsia (abnormal thirst), flushed, edema, low grade fever. Late signs: swollen
tongue, nausea/vomi ng (N/V), increased muscle tone.
Hyponatremia
