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acid
a molecule that can donate a hydrogen ion (H+) in chemical reactions
acidosis
having a blood pH less than 7.35
action potential
the voltage across a cell membrane that is determined by the ratio of ions in the intracellular and extracellular fluid
active transport
the movement of solutes through a transmembrane protein using energy expenditure
alkalosis
having a blood pH greater than 7.45
anion
a negatively charged electrolyte
anion gap
the concentration of unmeasured serum anions; having a large number of unmeasured anions indicates an acid has been added to the solution
arterial blood gas
a blood test that measures the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, pH, and bicarbonate ions (HCO3) in the arterial blood
base
a molecule that can donate a hydroxide ion (OH) in chemical reactions
blood plasma (also, intravascular fluid)
the liquid component of blood
capillary filtration
the process of delivering oxygen and other nutrients and removing cellular waste through the capillary system
cation
a positively charged ion
Chvostek’s sign
an involuntary twitching of the facial muscle when the facial nerve is tapped
concentration gradient
the process of substances moving from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration
cue
a subjective or objective data point that is observed by the nurse
diffusion
a transport process that involves molecular movement involving a concentration gradient
edema
swelling caused by excessive buildup of fluid in tissue spaces or a body cavity
enzyme
a protein that catalyzes chemical reactions
euvolemic
at net even fluid balance
extracellular fluid
the body fluid found outside of cells; subdivided into three categories: interstitial fluid, blood plasma, and transcellular fluid
fluid volume deficit (also, hypovolemia or dehydration)
a medical condition in which fluid loss exceeds fluid intake
fluid volume overload (also, hypervolemia)
a medical condition in which an excessive amount of fluid is retained in the intravascular fluid compartment
focused assessment
the collection of relevant information pertaining to a change in the patient’s clinical status
homeostasis
the process by which the human body maintains balance by adjusting to internal and external stimuli
hypercalcemia
an elevated serum calcium level (> 10.2 mEq/L)
hyperchloremia
an elevated serum chloride level (> 106 mEq/L)
hyperkalemia
an elevated serum potassium level (> 5.1 mEq/L)
hypermagnesemia
a high serum magnesium level (> 2.4 mEq/L)
hypernatremia
an elevated serum sodium level (> 145 mEq/L)
hyperphosphatemia
an elevated serum phosphorus level (> 4.5 mg/dL)
hypervolemia
an excess of body fluid
hypocalcemia
a low serum calcium level (< 8.6 mg/dL)
hypochloremia
a low serum chloride level (< 96 mEq/L)
hypokalemia
a low serum potassium level (< 3.5 mEq/L)
hypomagnesemia
a low serum magnesium level (< 1.5 mEq/L)
hyponatremia
a low serum sodium level (< 135 mEq/L)
hypophosphatemia
a low serum phosphorus level (< 3.4 mg/dL)
hypovolemia
a deficit of body fluid
interstitial fluid
the fluid that surrounds cells
intracellular fluid
the body fluids found inside the body’s cells
metabolic acidosis
an increase in the hydrogen ion concentration as a result of an abnormally low serum bicarbonate level (HCO3)
metabolic alkalosis
a net increase in bicarbonate ions due to loss of hydrogen ions or retention of bicarbonate ions by either the renal or gastrointestinal systems
osmosis
the passage of a solvent (liquid) through a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration
paresthesia
a sensation of numbness and tingling
passive transport
the movement of liquid and solutes across cell membranes using principles of concentration gradients
patient outcome
a measurable goal that can be met within a specific time frame
pH
the concentration of hydrogen ions in a given solution
respiratory acidosis
having a blood pH less than 7.35 with a concurrent increase in carbon dioxide (CO2)
respiratory alkalosis
a systemic acid-base disorder that is caused by a reduction in carbon dioxide and a pH greater than 7.45
solute
any substance that is dissolved in a solution
tetany
involuntary muscle contractions
transcellular fluid
the fluid within epithelial-lined spaces
Trousseau’s sign
an involuntary spasm of the hand when a blood pressure cuff is inflated above the diastolic blood pressure for three minutes; a classic sign of hypocalcemia
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