320 T2 V FLUID & ELECTROLYTES
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
VERIFIED 2026.
What percentage of the human body is composed of water? - ANS About 60%.
What are the two major types of body fluid compartments? - ANS Intracellular fluid (ICF) and
extracellular fluid (ECF).
What does intracellular fluid (ICF) refer to? - ANS Fluid inside the cells, accounting for about
two-thirds of body water.
What components make up extracellular fluid (ECF)? - ANS Interstitial fluid, plasma, lymph,
and fluids in areas like the cerebral spinal fluid.
How is osmolarity defined? - ANS The concentration of solutes in a solution, measured in
milliosmoles per kg of water.
What does urine osmolality indicate? - ANS The concentration of solutes in urine; low
osmolality indicates diluted urine, while high osmolality indicates concentrated urine.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,What is the effect of hypotonic solutions on cells? - ANS They cause cells to swell by moving
water into the cells.
What happens to cells when hypertonic solutions are administered? - ANS Cells shrink as
water is pulled out of them.
What is isotonic solution's effect on cells? - ANS There is no change in cell shape; solutes and
water move in and out equally.
What is edema? - ANS Fluid accumulation in the interstitial space, leading to swelling.
What are the three types of fluid spacing? - ANS First spacing (normal), second spacing
(edema), and third spacing (fluid accumulation in abnormal areas).
What is insensible fluid loss? - ANS Fluid loss that cannot be measured, such as through
perspiration or respiration.
How does dehydration differ from fluid volume deficit? - ANS Dehydration is pure water loss,
while fluid volume deficit includes loss of water, electrolytes, and proteins.
Which organs are involved in fluid and electrolyte regulation? - ANS Hypothalamus, pituitary,
adrenal glands, kidneys, heart, and gastrointestinal tract.
What is the role of the kidneys in fluid balance? - ANS They regulate fluid retention and
excretion.
What can high respiratory rates lead to in terms of fluid loss? - ANS Increased insensible fluid
loss due to rapid breathing.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What is the significance of monitoring lung function during IV fluid administration? - ANS To
prevent fluid overload and related respiratory issues.
What can happen if the wrong IV solution is administered? - ANS It can cause damage to the
patient, including circulatory and respiratory problems.
What is the consequence of administering too much hypotonic solution? - ANS It can cause
cells to burst due to excessive swelling.
What does the term 'cool crown' refer to in osmosis? - ANS It describes how water moves
towards areas of higher solute concentration.
What is the importance of equilibrium in osmosis? - ANS Osmosis continues until equilibrium
is achieved, which may require medication and fluids.
What is the clinical significance of understanding fluid types? - ANS Different solutions are
used for specific medical situations to manage fluid balance.
What can excessive IV fluids lead to in a patient? - ANS Increased blood pressure, heart rate,
and potential respiratory issues.
What is the relationship between comorbidities and fluid balance? - ANS Comorbidities can
significantly affect a patient's fluid and electrolyte balance.
How does the GI tract affect fluid balance? - ANS Conditions like nausea, vomiting, or
diarrhea can lead to significant fluid loss.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
VERIFIED 2026.
What percentage of the human body is composed of water? - ANS About 60%.
What are the two major types of body fluid compartments? - ANS Intracellular fluid (ICF) and
extracellular fluid (ECF).
What does intracellular fluid (ICF) refer to? - ANS Fluid inside the cells, accounting for about
two-thirds of body water.
What components make up extracellular fluid (ECF)? - ANS Interstitial fluid, plasma, lymph,
and fluids in areas like the cerebral spinal fluid.
How is osmolarity defined? - ANS The concentration of solutes in a solution, measured in
milliosmoles per kg of water.
What does urine osmolality indicate? - ANS The concentration of solutes in urine; low
osmolality indicates diluted urine, while high osmolality indicates concentrated urine.
1 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
,What is the effect of hypotonic solutions on cells? - ANS They cause cells to swell by moving
water into the cells.
What happens to cells when hypertonic solutions are administered? - ANS Cells shrink as
water is pulled out of them.
What is isotonic solution's effect on cells? - ANS There is no change in cell shape; solutes and
water move in and out equally.
What is edema? - ANS Fluid accumulation in the interstitial space, leading to swelling.
What are the three types of fluid spacing? - ANS First spacing (normal), second spacing
(edema), and third spacing (fluid accumulation in abnormal areas).
What is insensible fluid loss? - ANS Fluid loss that cannot be measured, such as through
perspiration or respiration.
How does dehydration differ from fluid volume deficit? - ANS Dehydration is pure water loss,
while fluid volume deficit includes loss of water, electrolytes, and proteins.
Which organs are involved in fluid and electrolyte regulation? - ANS Hypothalamus, pituitary,
adrenal glands, kidneys, heart, and gastrointestinal tract.
What is the role of the kidneys in fluid balance? - ANS They regulate fluid retention and
excretion.
What can high respiratory rates lead to in terms of fluid loss? - ANS Increased insensible fluid
loss due to rapid breathing.
2 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
, What is the significance of monitoring lung function during IV fluid administration? - ANS To
prevent fluid overload and related respiratory issues.
What can happen if the wrong IV solution is administered? - ANS It can cause damage to the
patient, including circulatory and respiratory problems.
What is the consequence of administering too much hypotonic solution? - ANS It can cause
cells to burst due to excessive swelling.
What does the term 'cool crown' refer to in osmosis? - ANS It describes how water moves
towards areas of higher solute concentration.
What is the importance of equilibrium in osmosis? - ANS Osmosis continues until equilibrium
is achieved, which may require medication and fluids.
What is the clinical significance of understanding fluid types? - ANS Different solutions are
used for specific medical situations to manage fluid balance.
What can excessive IV fluids lead to in a patient? - ANS Increased blood pressure, heart rate,
and potential respiratory issues.
What is the relationship between comorbidities and fluid balance? - ANS Comorbidities can
significantly affect a patient's fluid and electrolyte balance.
How does the GI tract affect fluid balance? - ANS Conditions like nausea, vomiting, or
diarrhea can lead to significant fluid loss.
3 @COPYRIGHT 2025/2026 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED.
