- 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