TRANSITION TO PRACTICE CAPSTONE EXAM 3
2026 COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS
◉ what are the functions of body fluid in the body? Answer:
lubricant
metabolism
transport
regulates body temperature
◉ what are electrolytes and what does concentration depend on?
Answer: -Na+, Cl-, Mg+, Ca+, K+
-electrically charged when in solution
-influenced by fluid intake and output, acid base balance, hormones,
cell functions
-concentration depends on intake, absorption, distribution, and
excretion
◉ how is water distributed throughout the body? Answer: 1)
Intracellular:
Two-thirds of water in body
,2)Extracellular:
Remaining third is divided into 2 compartments:
-Interstitial fluid (in between cells and organs)
-Plasma
◉ What electrolytes are highest in the intracellular fluid?
Extracellular fluid? Answer: ICF: high K+, Mg+, phosphate
ECF: high Na+, Cl-, bicarbonate ions
◉ what is hydrostatic pressure? is it higher at arteriole or venous
end of capillary? when does hydrostatic pressure increase? Answer:
-water pushing pressure
-higher at arteriole end (pushing oxygen and nutrients out of
capillary to go to cells)
-increases due to venous obstruction or salt/water retention (due to
CHF/kidney failure), edema occurs
◉ what is osmotic pressure? is it higher at arteriole or venous end of
capillary? Answer: -water pulling pressure
-high at venous end (want to pull fluid back into capillary from cells
to bring back to heart, and get rid of waste products)
◉ what is osmolality? what is the electrolyte involved? Answer:
solute concentration in blood, how much stuff is in fluid
,-sodium is main thing influencing osmolarity in blood, highest
concentration
-water follows sodium
◉ what is osmosis? Answer: water moving across a semi
permeability membrane
moves from low to high concentration
◉ what is colloidal osmotic pressure? what is main thing that
influences? Answer: 'oncotic pressure"
-pressure from stuff in blood
-increased pressure when increase particles (want to pull fluid in
-albumin is main influence
-increase albumin, increase COP, water follows protein
◉ what is diffusion? Answer: movement of particles down a
concentration gradient, high to low
◉ what is active transport? Answer: movement of particles against
concentration gradient, requires energy
◉ what is third spacing? how can it happen? what can it cause?
Answer: -fluid moves where it is not supposed to be
, -cannot be used for anything
-occurs in abdomen (ascites), liver disease, pancreatitis
-area rich in proteins (keeps pulling fluid in)
-have to drain
causes: slow diffusion, compression of blood vessels, slow healing,
increased risk of infection, pressure ulcers
◉ what is thirst triggered by? Answer: -triggered by osmolality of
ECF
high osmolality: concentrated
low osmolality: diluted
-decreased circulating blood volume (low BP)
-dry mucous membranes
◉ what is capillary hydrostatic pressure? is it increased at the
venous or arteriole end? Answer: outward force, pushes fluid out of
capillary
increased at arteriole end
◉ what is colloid osmotic pressure? is it higher at the arteriole or
venous end? Answer: draws fluid back into capillaries
increased at venous end
2026 COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS
◉ what are the functions of body fluid in the body? Answer:
lubricant
metabolism
transport
regulates body temperature
◉ what are electrolytes and what does concentration depend on?
Answer: -Na+, Cl-, Mg+, Ca+, K+
-electrically charged when in solution
-influenced by fluid intake and output, acid base balance, hormones,
cell functions
-concentration depends on intake, absorption, distribution, and
excretion
◉ how is water distributed throughout the body? Answer: 1)
Intracellular:
Two-thirds of water in body
,2)Extracellular:
Remaining third is divided into 2 compartments:
-Interstitial fluid (in between cells and organs)
-Plasma
◉ What electrolytes are highest in the intracellular fluid?
Extracellular fluid? Answer: ICF: high K+, Mg+, phosphate
ECF: high Na+, Cl-, bicarbonate ions
◉ what is hydrostatic pressure? is it higher at arteriole or venous
end of capillary? when does hydrostatic pressure increase? Answer:
-water pushing pressure
-higher at arteriole end (pushing oxygen and nutrients out of
capillary to go to cells)
-increases due to venous obstruction or salt/water retention (due to
CHF/kidney failure), edema occurs
◉ what is osmotic pressure? is it higher at arteriole or venous end of
capillary? Answer: -water pulling pressure
-high at venous end (want to pull fluid back into capillary from cells
to bring back to heart, and get rid of waste products)
◉ what is osmolality? what is the electrolyte involved? Answer:
solute concentration in blood, how much stuff is in fluid
,-sodium is main thing influencing osmolarity in blood, highest
concentration
-water follows sodium
◉ what is osmosis? Answer: water moving across a semi
permeability membrane
moves from low to high concentration
◉ what is colloidal osmotic pressure? what is main thing that
influences? Answer: 'oncotic pressure"
-pressure from stuff in blood
-increased pressure when increase particles (want to pull fluid in
-albumin is main influence
-increase albumin, increase COP, water follows protein
◉ what is diffusion? Answer: movement of particles down a
concentration gradient, high to low
◉ what is active transport? Answer: movement of particles against
concentration gradient, requires energy
◉ what is third spacing? how can it happen? what can it cause?
Answer: -fluid moves where it is not supposed to be
, -cannot be used for anything
-occurs in abdomen (ascites), liver disease, pancreatitis
-area rich in proteins (keeps pulling fluid in)
-have to drain
causes: slow diffusion, compression of blood vessels, slow healing,
increased risk of infection, pressure ulcers
◉ what is thirst triggered by? Answer: -triggered by osmolality of
ECF
high osmolality: concentrated
low osmolality: diluted
-decreased circulating blood volume (low BP)
-dry mucous membranes
◉ what is capillary hydrostatic pressure? is it increased at the
venous or arteriole end? Answer: outward force, pushes fluid out of
capillary
increased at arteriole end
◉ what is colloid osmotic pressure? is it higher at the arteriole or
venous end? Answer: draws fluid back into capillaries
increased at venous end
