MA278 Rasmussen Mod 8 Fluid Electrolyte and Acid-Base Balance Lab Report

Introduction This week’s lab will examine the dynamics of fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance. Objectives Objectives for this week’s lab include: 1) Identify the body water content and fluid compartments, 2) Define the factors that influence water balance, 3) Compare and contrast electrolyte imbalances, 4) Describe how the body maintains an acid-base balance, and 5) Compare and contrast the acid-base imbalances. Overview A cell’s ability to function and live depends on not only it’s ability to receive nutrients and dispose of wastes but also to maintain homeostasis of the surrounding fluids. The homeostasis and proper balance of water concentration, electrolytes, and pH regulation is dependent upon a number of mechanisms and organ systems. Failure on any level will lead to homeostatic imbalances that will cause dysfunction, cellular death and even organism death. Water occupies and is found in two regions of the body called fluid compartments: Intracellular fluid (ICF) compartment and the extracellular fluid (ECF) compartment. About 2/3 of the water volume is found in the ICF compartment which is the water found inside of cells and the other 1/3 of water is found in the ECF compartment, which is water fluid found around the cells. The ECF is further divided into two regions: Blood plasma and interstitial fluid (IF). IF is the water found in the spaces around and in between the cells. It is important to understand the movement of fluid between the compartments and the effects the gain and loss of water has on each of the compartments. Water is a universal solvent being able to dissolve many solutes. Generally, solutes are classified as electrolytes or nonelectrolytes. Due to their chemical properties, nonelectrolytes, such as urea, glucose, lipids, do not dissolve in water and conduct electricity. Electrolytes have the ability to dissociate into ions within water and will have the ability to conduct electricity. Specific electrolyte concentration will vary from ICF to ECF and is important to maintain proper electrolyte concentration to maintain proper resting membrane potential charge of a cell. Imbalances to the water balance within the body can have significant impacts on electrolyte levels and overall body physiology. Three common water imbalances are: Edema- accumulation of fluid in the interstitial space, which leads to swelling of the tissues but not cells, Over-hydration or hypotonic hydration- having too much water within the fluid compartments which leads to severe metabolic disturbances, and Dehydration- the general loss of water from the fluid compartments. It can include solutes too in the loss. In any case, electrolyte imbalance will occur with water imbalances. Sodium (Na+), potassium (K+) and calcium (Ca++) are the three main electrolytes that the body needs to regulate to maintain proper physiology. Acid-base balance is closely regulated by the body due to the influence pH (H+ ion concentration) can have on functional proteins. There are three chemical buffer systems that help regulate and resist changes to the body’s pH, which include: Protein buffer system, Bicarbonate buffer system, and the Phosphate buffer system. The respiratory and urinary systems also have mechanisms that help regulate acid- base balance within the body. Materials • Markers and color pencils of various colors • Large Post-It note presentation pads or paper presentation pads Pre-Lab Evaluation Questions The pre-lab evaluation questions must be answered prior to lab and demonstrated to your lab instructor. You must read through the assigned chapter readings, lab introduction, objectives, overview and procedure to answer these questions. Please cite your work for any reference source you utilize in answering these questions. 1. Compare and contrast the detailed characteristics to the intracellular fluid (ICF) and extracellular fluid (ECF) compartments. The chemical reactions of life take place in aqueous solutions. In the body, water moves through semi-permeable membranes of cells from one fluid compartment of the body to another by osmosis (OpenStax, 2013). Water is found in two main fluid compartments, intracellular fluid and extracellular fluid. The intracellular fluid (ICF) compartment is the system that includes all the fluid enclosed in cells by their plasma membranes. This comprises about two-thirds of the body’s overall water content and volume. Extracellular fluid (ECF) surrounds all cells in the body. ECF comprises about one-third of the body’s water content and volume (Rasmussen College, 2017). ECF has two primary constituents: interstitial fluid (IF) and plasma. Interstitial fluid is the fluid in the space between the cells. Plasma is the fluid component of blood. Materials, such as gases, nutrients, and waste materials, travel between cells and the plasma in capillaries through the IF. Cells are separated from the IF by a selectively permeable cell membrane that helps regulate the passage of material between the IF and the interior of the cell (OpenStax, 2013). The ECF and ICF have different concentrations of electrolytes (Rasmussen College, 2017). The composition of the IF and plasma are more similar to each other than either is to the ICF. Blood plasma has high concentrations of sodium, chloride, bicarbonate, and protein. The IF has high concentrations of sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate, but a relatively lower concentration of protein. In contrast, the ICF has elevated amounts of potassium, phosphate, magnesium, and protein. Overall, the ICF contains high concentrations of potassium and phosphate, however both plasma and the IF contain high concentrations of sodium and chloride (OpenStax, 2013). Osmotic and hydrostatic pressures regulate the movement of fluid between the compartments. Changes in solute concentration in a body compartment will lead to water movement (Rasmussen College, 2017). 2. Describe how osmoreceptors, a decrease in blood pressure (or volume) and a dry mouth will activate the thirst center in the hypothalamus. Plasma osmolality is the ratio of solutes to water in blood plasma. An individual’s plasma osmolality value reflects his or her state of hydration. Regulatory water intake and output mechanisms maintain plasma osmolality within a narrow range. Dehydration is a net loss of water that results in blood and other tissues. The thirst response begins when osmoreceptors detect a decrease in water levels in the blood. Decreased blood volume has two effects. First, baroreceptors detect a decrease in blood pressure that results from decreased blood volume. The heart is signaled to increase its rate and/or strength of contractions to compensate for the lowered pressure. Second, the kidneys increase the production of hormone angiotensin II, which helps stimulate thirst. It also stimulates the release of aldosterone from the adrenal glands. Aldosterone increases the reabsorption of sodium in the DCTs in the kidneys. This is effective because water will follow the reabsorbed sodium back into the blood. Osmoreceptors are sensory receptors in the thirst center in the hypothalamus that monitor the concentration of solutes of the blood. If blood osmolality increases above its ideal value, the hypothalamus transmits signals that result in a conscious awareness of thirst. The person should, and usually does, respond by drinking water. The hypothalamus of a dehydrated person also releases ADH through the pituitary gland. ADH signals the kidneys to recover water from urine, which dilutes the blood plasma. The hypothalamus also sends signals via the sympathetic nervous system to the salivary glands in the mouth. The signals result in a decrease in watery output, and an increase in a thicker mucus output. These changes in secretions result in a “dry mouth” and the sensation of thirst (OpenStax, 2013). 3. Describe the process of edema, where it can occur in the body, and the symptomology that may be associated with it. Edema is the accumulation of excess water in the tissues. It most commonly occurs in the soft tissue of the extremities. The physiological causes of edema include water leakage from capillaries. In other words, too much water is leaving the capillaries and entering the surrounding tissue so the water fluid levels are not maintaining homeostasis. This causes impairment and dysfunction to the surrounding tissues. The excess fluid makes nutrient and waste exchange between cells and blood harder (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Edema is almost always caused by an underlying medical condition. Sometimes it can be caused by therapeutic drugs, pregnancy, localized injury, or by an allergic reaction. In the limbs, the symptoms of edema include swelling of the subcutaneous tissues, an increase in the normal size of the limb, and stretched tight skin. Mild, transient edema of the feet and legs may be caused by sitting or standing in the same position for long periods of time. Pulmonary edema is excess fluid in the sir sacs of the lungs. This is a common symptom of heart and/or kidney failure. Individuals with pulmonary edema will experience difficulty breathing, and possible chest pain (OpenStax, 2013). 4. Why is it vital to maintain a proper electrolyte balance in the body? Electrolytes are charged ions that perform a variety of important functions within the body. Some electrolytes assist in the transmission of electrical impulses along cell membranes in neurons and muscles. Other electrolytes help to stabilize protein structures in enzymes and some aid in releasing hormones from the endocrine gland. All of the ions in plasma contribute to the osmotic balance that controls the movement of water between cells and their environment. The six most important electrolytes in the body include: sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, calcium, and phosphate (OpenStax, 2013). 5. Why is it important to maintain proper sodium levels in the body? How does aldosterone and angiotensin influence sodium levels in our body? Sodium plays an essential role in various functions of the body and helps the body maintain homeostasis. It aids in maintaining blood pressure, supports the work of the nervous and muscular systems, and it also helps regulate the body’s fluid balance (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Excessive levels of sodium, as well as abnormally low levels, can have detrimental affects on the body. High levels of sodium may cause excess fluid retention, which causes edema. Low sodium levels can cause dehydration (Rasmussen College, 2017). Aldosterone is a corticosteroid hormone that stimulates the absorption of sodium through the kidneys, regulating the water and salt balance within the body (OpenStax, 2013). Angiotensin is a protein in the blood that promotes aldosterone secretion. Angiotensin may also raise blood pressure (OpenStax, 2013). Part 01 Procedure: Electrolyte Balance 1. Working in groups of 2-4, each group will be tasked with presenting to the class on one or two electrolyte imbalance states. You will include the following information and content: a. Causes There are two forms of respiratory acidosis, acute and chronic. Acute develops quickly and can be life threatening. Chronic develops over time. Chronic respiratory acidosis does not present with any symptoms. The body adapts to the acidity of the blood pH. Causes include • Diseases of the airways such as asthma and COPD • Diseases of the lung tissue • Diseases of the chest such as scoliosis • Diseases affecting the nerves and muscles that signal the lungs to inflate or deflate • Drugs that suppress breathing (including powerful pain medicines, such as narcotics, and "downers," such as benzodiazepines), often when combined with alcohol • Drugs that suppress breathing (including powerful pain medicines, such as narcotics, and "downers," such as benzodiazepines), often when combined with alcohol • Severe obesity and sleep apnea (MedlinePlus, 2016). b. Signs/Symptoms Some symptoms of respiratory acidosis include: • Headache • Blurred vision • Confusion • Easy fatigue • Lethargy • Shortness of breath • Sleepiness (MedlinePlus, 2016). ..................................................................................................CONTINUE