Acid-Base Imbalance and Fluid Dynamics

Alkalosis

• An acid–base imbalance characterized by a reduction in H+ concentration or increase in bicarbonate concentration (increased blood pH).

• A condition where there is an excess of carbon dioxide in the blood.

• A state of increased H+ ion concentration leading to lower blood pH.

• A metabolic disorder resulting in decreased bicarbonate levels.

Diffusion

• The process by which solutes move from an area of higher concentration to one of lower concentration; does not require expenditure of energy.

• The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane.

• The active transport of molecules against their concentration gradient.

• The process of molecules spreading out evenly in a space.

Osmolarity

• The number of milliosmoles per liter of solution; expressed as milliosmoles per liter (mOsm/L). Describes the concentration of solutes or dissolved particles.

• The total volume of a solution measured in liters.

• The mass of solute per unit volume of solvent.

• The temperature at which a solution boils.

Crystalloid

• A fluid containing soluble mineral ions and water in solution.

• A type of solid crystal used in jewelry.

• A gas that forms when minerals evaporate.

• A liquid that contains only organic compounds.

Osmosis

• The process by which fluid moves across a semipermeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration, continuing until solute concentrations are equal on both sides.

• The movement of solute particles from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration without the use of energy.

• The process of water moving from an area of high solute concentration to an area of low solute concentration.

• The diffusion of gases across a permeable membrane until equilibrium is reached.

Active Transport

• Physiologic pump that uses energy to move fluid or electrolytes from one region to another.

• A passive process that does not require energy to move substances across cell membranes.

• A method of cellular communication that involves the release of neurotransmitters.

• A type of diffusion that occurs only in the presence of a concentration gradient.

Isotonic Solution

• A solution with a higher osmolality than blood.

• A solution with a lower osmolality than blood.

• A solution with the same osmolality as blood.

• A solution that contains no solutes.

Hypertonic Solution

• A solution with an osmolality lower than that of serum.

• A solution with an osmolality equal to that of serum.

• A solution with an osmolality higher than that of serum.

• A solution that contains no solutes.

Colloid Oncotic Pressure

• Osmotic pressure created by the protein (mainly albumin) in the bloodstream.

• Pressure exerted by red blood cells in the plasma.

• Pressure that helps in the filtration of fluids in the kidneys.

• Osmotic pressure created by electrolytes in the blood.

Tonicity

• Fluid tension or the effect that osmotic pressure of a solution with impermeable solutes exerts on cell size because of water movement across the cell membrane.

• The measure of the concentration of solutes in a solution compared to another solution.

• The ability of a solution to cause a cell to shrink or swell due to osmotic pressure.

• The process by which cells actively transport solutes against a concentration gradient.