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NUR 308: QUIZ 1 Questions and Correct
Answers
Adults are approximately _____ fluid by weight. Ans: 55-60%
Older adults are approximately ____ fluid by weight Ans: 50-55%
Total body fluid varies according to: Ans: - muscle mass
- electrolytes
- body fat
- age
Intracellular fluid Ans: fluid within cells
Extracellular fluid Ans: fluid outside cell (interstitial fluid and
plasma)
Volume of intracellular space Ans: 25 liters
volume of extracellular space Ans: - plasma: 3.5-6 liters
- interstitial: 10-12 liters
What are electrolytes measured in? Ans: mEq
What do serum levels indicate? Ans: Extracellular concentration
Osmolarity/osmolality Ans: a measure of the concentration of a
solution (number of particles in a solution)
Normal osmolarity Ans: 270-300 mOsm/L
What is osmolarity regulated by? Ans: ADH release
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Tonicity Ans: a measure of the osmotic pressure of a solution
based on its osmolality
Isotonic Ans: solution with the same osmolality of serum and
other bodily fluids
Hypertonic Ans: a solution with an osmolality higher than that of
the serum; causes ICF compartment to shrink
Hypotonic Ans: a solution with an osmolality lower than that of
the serum; causes ICF to swell
0.9% normal saline IV Ans: - isotonic solution
- used for:
IV flush
Low BP
Hypovolemic shock
Reconstitute medication
Blood transfusion
Colloid oncotic pressure Ans: Pulling pressure exerted by
proteins/colloids in the blood
-PULLS or absorbs fluid from the interstitial space
- example: packed RBCs
- forces molecules through the capillaries
Hydrostatic pressure Ans: Pressure exerted by a volume of fluid
against blood vessel walls
- PUSHES fluid out of the vessel into the interstitial space
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Filtration Ans: Movement of water and solutes from high
hydrostatic pressure to low hydrostatic pressure
4 roads that lead to edema Ans: 1. increased capillary
permeability
2. lymph obstruction
3. increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
4. decreased capillary oncotic pressure
increased capillary permeability Ans: - loss of plasma proteins
- increased tissue oncotic pressure
- occurs with burns or allergic responses
lymph obstruction Ans: - fluid movement into the tissue
(retention)
- creates congestion
increased capillary hydrostatic pressure Ans: - fluid movement
into the tissue from pushing pressure
- common with heart failure
decreased capillary oncotic pressure Ans: - fluid remains in
interstitial spaces due to lack of pulling pressure into vessels
- common in those who are malnourished
What are the two types of edema? Ans: pitting and non pitting
Primary factors regulating body water Ans: thirst- stimulated by
factors associated with water loss and extracellular osmolality
- causes oral fluid intake
© 2025 All rights reserved
NUR 308: QUIZ 1 Questions and Correct
Answers
Adults are approximately _____ fluid by weight. Ans: 55-60%
Older adults are approximately ____ fluid by weight Ans: 50-55%
Total body fluid varies according to: Ans: - muscle mass
- electrolytes
- body fat
- age
Intracellular fluid Ans: fluid within cells
Extracellular fluid Ans: fluid outside cell (interstitial fluid and
plasma)
Volume of intracellular space Ans: 25 liters
volume of extracellular space Ans: - plasma: 3.5-6 liters
- interstitial: 10-12 liters
What are electrolytes measured in? Ans: mEq
What do serum levels indicate? Ans: Extracellular concentration
Osmolarity/osmolality Ans: a measure of the concentration of a
solution (number of particles in a solution)
Normal osmolarity Ans: 270-300 mOsm/L
What is osmolarity regulated by? Ans: ADH release
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
Tonicity Ans: a measure of the osmotic pressure of a solution
based on its osmolality
Isotonic Ans: solution with the same osmolality of serum and
other bodily fluids
Hypertonic Ans: a solution with an osmolality higher than that of
the serum; causes ICF compartment to shrink
Hypotonic Ans: a solution with an osmolality lower than that of
the serum; causes ICF to swell
0.9% normal saline IV Ans: - isotonic solution
- used for:
IV flush
Low BP
Hypovolemic shock
Reconstitute medication
Blood transfusion
Colloid oncotic pressure Ans: Pulling pressure exerted by
proteins/colloids in the blood
-PULLS or absorbs fluid from the interstitial space
- example: packed RBCs
- forces molecules through the capillaries
Hydrostatic pressure Ans: Pressure exerted by a volume of fluid
against blood vessel walls
- PUSHES fluid out of the vessel into the interstitial space
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
Filtration Ans: Movement of water and solutes from high
hydrostatic pressure to low hydrostatic pressure
4 roads that lead to edema Ans: 1. increased capillary
permeability
2. lymph obstruction
3. increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
4. decreased capillary oncotic pressure
increased capillary permeability Ans: - loss of plasma proteins
- increased tissue oncotic pressure
- occurs with burns or allergic responses
lymph obstruction Ans: - fluid movement into the tissue
(retention)
- creates congestion
increased capillary hydrostatic pressure Ans: - fluid movement
into the tissue from pushing pressure
- common with heart failure
decreased capillary oncotic pressure Ans: - fluid remains in
interstitial spaces due to lack of pulling pressure into vessels
- common in those who are malnourished
What are the two types of edema? Ans: pitting and non pitting
Primary factors regulating body water Ans: thirst- stimulated by
factors associated with water loss and extracellular osmolality
- causes oral fluid intake
© 2025 All rights reserved
