Hyperkalemia TERMS Hyperkalemia QUICK LOOK AT THE CHAPTER AHEAD Though the range for a normal potassium level is narrow (3.5-5.3 mEq/L), elevated potassium levels are unusual in the healthy person….

Potassium TERMS Potassium QUICK LOOK AT THE CHAPTER AHEAD Potassium is the primary intracellular cation regulating intracellular osmolality. Intracellular levels of potassium range from 140 to 150 mEq/L compared with…

Hyponatremia TERMS Hyponatremia Hypervolemic hyponatremia Hypovolemic hyponatremia QUICK LOOK AT THE CHAPTER AHEAD Conditions resulting in an excessive sodium loss or excessive water gain lead to hyponatremia, a low serum…

Hypernatremia TERMS Hypernatremia QUICK LOOK AT THE CHAPTER AHEAD Hypernatremia occurs when the serum sodium level exceeds 148 mEq/L. An elevated serum sodium level may be caused by either a…

Sodium TERMS Sodium QUICK LOOK AT THE CHAPTER AHEAD Sodium is considered the most important cation in the extracellular fluid, with a primary focus to control serum osmolality levels and…

Fluid Deficit TERMS Hyperosmolar fluid volume deficit Isoosmolar fluid volume QUICK LOOK AT THE CHAPTER AHEAD When serum sodium levels rise in the vascular system due to a fluid loss,…

Fluid Overload TERMS Anasarca Hypervolemia Isotonic fluid volume excess QUICK LOOK AT THE CHAPTER AHEAD Fluid overload can occur in either the extracellular or intracellular compartments of the body. Extracellular…

Water Balance TERMS Hyperosmolality Hypodipsia Osmoreceptors QUICK LOOK AT THE CHAPTER AHEAD The healthy individual requires approximately 100 mL of water per 100 calories ingested to help with metabolism and…

Fluid Homeostasis TERMS Capillary hydrostatic pressure Colloidal osmotic (oncotic) pressure QUICK LOOK AT THE CHAPTER AHEAD Daily fluid intake in the body should equal loss. In an effort to maintain…

Acid-Base Balance TERMS Acids QUICK LOOK AT THE CHAPTER AHEAD Acid-base balance must be maintained in the body fluid. This balance can easily be upset by pathological conditions such as…