NURS 320 FLUID AND ELECTROLYTES
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (GRADED A+) | NEW 2025
the constant movement of fluids and electrolytes to maintain a balance in the
body - ANSWER homeostasis
distribution and composition of body fluids - ANSWER Extracellular plasma:
3.5-6L
Extracellular interstitial: 10-12L
Intracellular: 25L
Four conditions that signal decreased tissue perfusion - ANSWER low BP
low blood volume
low blood sodium
low blood oxygen
colloid pressure - ANSWER pulling; pressure exerted by plasma proteins on
permeable membranes in the body; synonym for oncotic pressure
decreased tissue perfusion stimulates sectretion of - ANSWER renin from
kidney tubular system
What does angiotensin II do? - ANSWER -constricts efferent arterioles, which
serves to increase BP in the glomerulus
,- lowers blood pressure in peritubular capillaries which increases reabsorption
into the capillaries
- causes secretion of aldosterone
- stimulates secretion of ADH
AHD pathway - ANSWER 1. decreased blood pressure; decreased blood
volume, increased blood osmolality
2. ADH secretion from hypothalamus
3. ADH acts on distal tubules, increasing water reabsorption
4. decreased urine output; increased blood pressure and volume; decreased blood
osmolality
thirst mechanism - ANSWER driving force for water intake
three type of imbalances - ANSWER ECV
Osmolality (concentration of Na+)
K+ concentration
causes of fluid imbalances - ANSWER fluid and electrolyte output is greater
than intake and absorption
fluid and electrolytes output is less than intake and absorption
altered fluid and electrolyte distribution
Consequences of fluid volume deficit (FVD) and Fluid volume excess (FVE) -
ANSWER FVD: poor perfusion leads to impaired kidneys, bp decreases, brain
needs blood LOC
, FVE: takes longer for O2 to get to cells
Consequences of osmolality imbalances (Na+ imbalance) - ANSWER dilute:
cells swell and function improperly leads to CNS problems
Concentrated: cells shrivel, CNS problems
consequences of electrolyte deficits and excess - ANSWER Both heart
problems
S/S of FVD - ANSWER }Vital Signs: increase HR, hypotension, increase Resp,
}Cardiovascular: decreased capillary refill, weak pulse, threadyy pulse, dizziness,
Orthostatic hypotension,
}Respiratory: increased, dyspnea, labored
}Neurological: confusion, lethargy, coma, weakness
}Musculoskeletal: weakness,
}Genitourinary: decreased output,
}Skin and Mucous Membranes: dry, cracked, skin turgor increased
}Fontanelles in Infants: sunken
}Laboratory Results:
}I&O: decreased
}Daily Weight: decreased (best indicator for fluid volume status)
GI: constipation, thrist
}Which findings would be most concerning to you? - ABCs
FVE S/S - ANSWER neuro: LOC, confusion headache, seizure
COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (GRADED A+) | NEW 2025
the constant movement of fluids and electrolytes to maintain a balance in the
body - ANSWER homeostasis
distribution and composition of body fluids - ANSWER Extracellular plasma:
3.5-6L
Extracellular interstitial: 10-12L
Intracellular: 25L
Four conditions that signal decreased tissue perfusion - ANSWER low BP
low blood volume
low blood sodium
low blood oxygen
colloid pressure - ANSWER pulling; pressure exerted by plasma proteins on
permeable membranes in the body; synonym for oncotic pressure
decreased tissue perfusion stimulates sectretion of - ANSWER renin from
kidney tubular system
What does angiotensin II do? - ANSWER -constricts efferent arterioles, which
serves to increase BP in the glomerulus
,- lowers blood pressure in peritubular capillaries which increases reabsorption
into the capillaries
- causes secretion of aldosterone
- stimulates secretion of ADH
AHD pathway - ANSWER 1. decreased blood pressure; decreased blood
volume, increased blood osmolality
2. ADH secretion from hypothalamus
3. ADH acts on distal tubules, increasing water reabsorption
4. decreased urine output; increased blood pressure and volume; decreased blood
osmolality
thirst mechanism - ANSWER driving force for water intake
three type of imbalances - ANSWER ECV
Osmolality (concentration of Na+)
K+ concentration
causes of fluid imbalances - ANSWER fluid and electrolyte output is greater
than intake and absorption
fluid and electrolytes output is less than intake and absorption
altered fluid and electrolyte distribution
Consequences of fluid volume deficit (FVD) and Fluid volume excess (FVE) -
ANSWER FVD: poor perfusion leads to impaired kidneys, bp decreases, brain
needs blood LOC
, FVE: takes longer for O2 to get to cells
Consequences of osmolality imbalances (Na+ imbalance) - ANSWER dilute:
cells swell and function improperly leads to CNS problems
Concentrated: cells shrivel, CNS problems
consequences of electrolyte deficits and excess - ANSWER Both heart
problems
S/S of FVD - ANSWER }Vital Signs: increase HR, hypotension, increase Resp,
}Cardiovascular: decreased capillary refill, weak pulse, threadyy pulse, dizziness,
Orthostatic hypotension,
}Respiratory: increased, dyspnea, labored
}Neurological: confusion, lethargy, coma, weakness
}Musculoskeletal: weakness,
}Genitourinary: decreased output,
}Skin and Mucous Membranes: dry, cracked, skin turgor increased
}Fontanelles in Infants: sunken
}Laboratory Results:
}I&O: decreased
}Daily Weight: decreased (best indicator for fluid volume status)
GI: constipation, thrist
}Which findings would be most concerning to you? - ABCs
FVE S/S - ANSWER neuro: LOC, confusion headache, seizure
