lOMoARcPSD|59750855
Patho II NSG 3850 Unit 1 Fluid Electrolytes
Pathophysiology For Nurses II (Galen College of Nursing)
, lOMoARcPSD|59750855
Pathophysiology II NSG 3850 Unit 1: Fluid and Electrolyte Homeostasis and Imbalances
Body Fluid Homeostasis
Definition of Body Fluid
Water within the body and the particles dissolved in it
Exists in:
o Intracellular fluid (ICF)
o Extracellular fluid (ECF)
In all age groups except infants:
o About 2/3 of body fluid is intracellular
o About 1/3 is extracellular
In infants (reversed):
o About 2/3 of body fluid is extracellular
o About 1/3 is intracellular
Infants and elderly adults are at risk for dehydration
o Due to immature hypothalamus in infants
o Worn out hypothalamus, slow osmoreceptors in elderly
o Body composition—increased fat, decreased muscles in elderly
Total Body Water
Varies based on:
o Age
o Body fat proportion
Adult male:
o About 60% body weight is water
o More muscles than fat
o Muscles hold more blood/water than fat
Adult female:
o About 50% body weight is water
o More fat than muscles
Total body water decreases with aging
Fluid Compartments
Extracellular Fluid (ECF)
Interstitial fluid (between cells)
Vascular compartment (blood vessels)
Transcellular fluid:
o Synovial
o Cerebrospinal
o Gastrointestinal
Total body water
o Total amount of water in all fluid compartment
Intracellular Compartment
High in:
o Potassium
o Magnesium
o Proteins
o Phosphates
Low in:
o Sodium, Chloride
Extracellular Compartment
Vascular:
o Rich in protein
Interstitial:
o Few proteins
High in:
Patho II NSG 3850 Unit 1 Fluid Electrolytes
Pathophysiology For Nurses II (Galen College of Nursing)
, lOMoARcPSD|59750855
Pathophysiology II NSG 3850 Unit 1: Fluid and Electrolyte Homeostasis and Imbalances
Body Fluid Homeostasis
Definition of Body Fluid
Water within the body and the particles dissolved in it
Exists in:
o Intracellular fluid (ICF)
o Extracellular fluid (ECF)
In all age groups except infants:
o About 2/3 of body fluid is intracellular
o About 1/3 is extracellular
In infants (reversed):
o About 2/3 of body fluid is extracellular
o About 1/3 is intracellular
Infants and elderly adults are at risk for dehydration
o Due to immature hypothalamus in infants
o Worn out hypothalamus, slow osmoreceptors in elderly
o Body composition—increased fat, decreased muscles in elderly
Total Body Water
Varies based on:
o Age
o Body fat proportion
Adult male:
o About 60% body weight is water
o More muscles than fat
o Muscles hold more blood/water than fat
Adult female:
o About 50% body weight is water
o More fat than muscles
Total body water decreases with aging
Fluid Compartments
Extracellular Fluid (ECF)
Interstitial fluid (between cells)
Vascular compartment (blood vessels)
Transcellular fluid:
o Synovial
o Cerebrospinal
o Gastrointestinal
Total body water
o Total amount of water in all fluid compartment
Intracellular Compartment
High in:
o Potassium
o Magnesium
o Proteins
o Phosphates
Low in:
o Sodium, Chloride
Extracellular Compartment
Vascular:
o Rich in protein
Interstitial:
o Few proteins
High in: