FLUID & ELECTROLYTE LESSON ATI
Electrolytes - ANSMinerals in the body that conduct electricity.
Common electrolytes include - ANSpotassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium.
Electrolytes are responsible for the following functions within the body: - ANS-Maintaining the
balance of water in the body
-Balancing the blood pH (acid-base) level
-Moving nutrients into the cells
-Moving wastes out of the cells
-Maintaining proper function of the body's muscles, heart, nerves, and brain)
It is critical to maintain the balance of water in the body to prevent - ANShypovolemia,
dehydration, tachycardia, tachypnea, confusion, headache, kidney stones, and numerous other
medical complications
Water loss in the body primarily occurs through excretion of urine from the - ANSkidneys
Situations such as prolonged vomiting, severe diarrhea, and profuse sweating can greatly
increase - ANSwater loss
When a person is unable to drink enough fluids to compensate for the excess water loss -
ANSdehydration or hypovolemia can occur.
hypovolemia - ANSDecrease in blood volume due to body fluid or blood loss.
dehydration - ANSExcess water loss without a loss of sodium.
kidneys - ANSOrgans that filter the blood and excrete waste as urine.
tachypnea - ANSRespiratory rate greater than expected range.
tachycardia - ANSHeart rate above the expected reference range.
The body works to maintain homeostasis by keeping water and electrolytes at a constant level
in the blood. This level can be monitored by determining the - ANSserum osmolality of the
blood—that is, by performing a laboratory test that measures the concentration of solutes to
water
-Serum osmolality is the most frequently used laboratory indicator of the body's fluid status
-The expected reference range of serum osmolality is 285 to 295 mOsm/kg
, -As body water decreases, the concentration of solutes increases. This, in turn, leads to an
increase in serum osmolality and indicates a decrease in hydration
osmolality - ANSA measurement of the solutes within a solution.
Osmolality can also be measured using - ANSurine and is used to determine renal function as
well as hydration status
-The expected reference range for urine osmolality is 50 to 1,200 mOsm/kg for a random
specimen
The body's water is located both within the cells and outside of the cells. There are three main
fluid compartments - ANSintracellular space
interstitial space
intravascular
The other two compartments, collectively referred to as the extracellular space - ANSinterstitial
space
intravascular
Water passes easily among the various compartments (intracellular, interstitial, intravascular) by
the process of - ANSosmosis
to keep fluid and electrolyte levels balanced and the body functioning properly
osmosis - ANSThe movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of
higher concentration to one of lower concentration, such as fluid moving into or out of a cell, in
an effort to maintain homeostasis.
-refers to the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of higher
concentration of water molecules and a lower concentration of solutes to one of a lower
concentration of water molecules and a higher concentration of solutes, such as fluid moving
into or out of a cell, in an effort to maintain homeostasis.
intravascular - ANSThe space within the vascular system including within the chambers of the
heart, the arteries, and veins.
interstitial space - ANSThe space outside the cells; a component of the extracellular space.
extracellular space - ANSThe space outside the cell that includes the interstitial and
intravascular areas.
intracellular space - ANSThe space within a cell.
antidiuretic hormone (ADH) - ANSA hormone excreted by the hypothalamus in the brain that
maintains blood pressure and fluid volume. Also known as vasopressin.
Electrolytes - ANSMinerals in the body that conduct electricity.
Common electrolytes include - ANSpotassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium.
Electrolytes are responsible for the following functions within the body: - ANS-Maintaining the
balance of water in the body
-Balancing the blood pH (acid-base) level
-Moving nutrients into the cells
-Moving wastes out of the cells
-Maintaining proper function of the body's muscles, heart, nerves, and brain)
It is critical to maintain the balance of water in the body to prevent - ANShypovolemia,
dehydration, tachycardia, tachypnea, confusion, headache, kidney stones, and numerous other
medical complications
Water loss in the body primarily occurs through excretion of urine from the - ANSkidneys
Situations such as prolonged vomiting, severe diarrhea, and profuse sweating can greatly
increase - ANSwater loss
When a person is unable to drink enough fluids to compensate for the excess water loss -
ANSdehydration or hypovolemia can occur.
hypovolemia - ANSDecrease in blood volume due to body fluid or blood loss.
dehydration - ANSExcess water loss without a loss of sodium.
kidneys - ANSOrgans that filter the blood and excrete waste as urine.
tachypnea - ANSRespiratory rate greater than expected range.
tachycardia - ANSHeart rate above the expected reference range.
The body works to maintain homeostasis by keeping water and electrolytes at a constant level
in the blood. This level can be monitored by determining the - ANSserum osmolality of the
blood—that is, by performing a laboratory test that measures the concentration of solutes to
water
-Serum osmolality is the most frequently used laboratory indicator of the body's fluid status
-The expected reference range of serum osmolality is 285 to 295 mOsm/kg
, -As body water decreases, the concentration of solutes increases. This, in turn, leads to an
increase in serum osmolality and indicates a decrease in hydration
osmolality - ANSA measurement of the solutes within a solution.
Osmolality can also be measured using - ANSurine and is used to determine renal function as
well as hydration status
-The expected reference range for urine osmolality is 50 to 1,200 mOsm/kg for a random
specimen
The body's water is located both within the cells and outside of the cells. There are three main
fluid compartments - ANSintracellular space
interstitial space
intravascular
The other two compartments, collectively referred to as the extracellular space - ANSinterstitial
space
intravascular
Water passes easily among the various compartments (intracellular, interstitial, intravascular) by
the process of - ANSosmosis
to keep fluid and electrolyte levels balanced and the body functioning properly
osmosis - ANSThe movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of
higher concentration to one of lower concentration, such as fluid moving into or out of a cell, in
an effort to maintain homeostasis.
-refers to the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of higher
concentration of water molecules and a lower concentration of solutes to one of a lower
concentration of water molecules and a higher concentration of solutes, such as fluid moving
into or out of a cell, in an effort to maintain homeostasis.
intravascular - ANSThe space within the vascular system including within the chambers of the
heart, the arteries, and veins.
interstitial space - ANSThe space outside the cells; a component of the extracellular space.
extracellular space - ANSThe space outside the cell that includes the interstitial and
intravascular areas.
intracellular space - ANSThe space within a cell.
antidiuretic hormone (ADH) - ANSA hormone excreted by the hypothalamus in the brain that
maintains blood pressure and fluid volume. Also known as vasopressin.
