Chapter 3: The Cellular Environment: Fluids and Electrolytes, Acids and Bases Flashcards
What is the normal serum magnesium level?
1.5 to 2.5 mEq/L (p. 122)
Why can severe hypomagnesemia lead to hypokalemia?
Because magnesium inhibits potassium channels. Without magnesium “guards” stationed outside of the potassium channels, too much potassium escapes out of the cell and is excreted by the kidneys. (p. 122)
What does excessive magnesium do?
Depresses skeletal muscle contraction and nerve function.
(p. 122)
What is the normal range of serum phosphate?
- 5 to 4.5 mg/dl
(p. 121 - 122)
What equation explains the relationships among pH, pK, and the ratio of bicarbonate to carbonic acid?
the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation
(p. 123)
What is the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation?
pH = pK + log [HCO3- / H2CO3]

The body’s pH balance is maintained within a narrow range by ____, ________, and _____ function.
renal, hormonal, and neural
(p. 103)
Changes in the composition of ____________ affect __________ __________ of excitatory cells and cause shifts of fluid from one compartment to another that can affect cell function.
Fluid fluctuations also affect blood volume and therefore _____ ________.
electrolytes
electrical potentials
blood pressure
(p. 103)
___ of TBW is intracellular.
___ of TBW is extracellular.
2 main ECF compartments are ____________ fluid and _____________ fluid.
2/3
1/3
interstitial, intravascular
(p. 104)
Other ECF compartments include _____ and the transcellular fluids :
(3 gross fluids):
(4 GI fluids):
(6 other fluids):
lymph
saliva, sweat, urine
intestinal, biliary, hepatic, pancreatic
cerebrospinal fluid, intraocular, pericardial, peritoneal, pleural, synovial
(p. 104)
What are the 4 forces which determine the exchange of fluid between the capillary and interstitial space?
capillary hydrostatic pressure
capillary (plasma) oncotic pressure
interstitial hydrostatic pressure
interstitial oncotic pressure
(p. 105)
What is capillary hydrostatic pressure?
The pressure which facilitates the outward movement of water from the capillary to the interstitial space.
(p. 105)
What is the capillary (plasma) oncotic pressure?
The pressure which osmotically attracts water from the interstitial space back into the capillary.
(p. 105)
What is interstitial hydrostatic pressure?
The pressure which facilitates the inward movement of water from the interstitial space into the capillary.
(p. 105)
What is interstitial oncotic pressure?
The pressure which osmotically attracts water from the capillary into the interstitial space.
(p. 105)
The movement of fluid back and forth across the capillary wall is called ___ __________ and is best described by the ________ __________.
net filtration
Starling hypothesis
The Starling hypothesis states that
net filtration = (forces ________ __________) - (forces ________ __________)
favoring filtration
opposing filtration
(p. 105)
Forces favoring filtration =
capillary hydrostatic pressure and interstitial oncotic pressure
(p. 105)
Forces opposing filtration =
capillary oncotic pressure and interstitial hydrostatic pressure
Edema is the excessive accumulation of fluid within the interstitial space. It is often a problem of fluid ____________ and does NOT necessarily indicate a fluid ______.
distribution
excess
(p. 105)
What are the 4 most common mechanisms which cause edema?
- increased capillary hydrostatic pressure
- decreased plasma oncotic pressure
- increased capillary membrane permeability
- lymphatic obstruction
(p. 105)
Increased capillary hydrostatic pressure can result from ______ obstruction or ______ and _____ retention. Venous obstruction causes hydrostatic pressure to increase behind the obstruction, pushing fluid from the capillaries into the interstitial spaces. Venous blood clots, hepatic obstruction, right heart failure, tight clothing around the extremities, and prolonged standing are common causes of venous obstruction.
venous
sodium and water
(p. 106)
What are three conditions associated with excessive sodium and water retention, which in turn cause volume overload, increased venous pressure, and edema?
right congestive heart failure, renal failure, and cirrhosis of the liver
(p. 106)
Decreased plasma oncotic pressure results from ____ or __________ __________ of plasma albumin.
Decreased synthesis of plasma proteins may occur with _____ _______ or _______ ____________.
Losses of plasma proteins occur with __________ diseases like _________ syndrome, __________, and ______ drainage from open wounds or burns.
loss or diminished production
liver disease or protein malnutrition
glomerular, nephrotic, hemorrhage, serous
(p. 107)