Description #
Anatomy and physiology of fluid and electrolytes refers to several anatomical and physiologic parameters that work together to maintain the constant internal environment crucial to cellular function. Virtually every body system contributes to maintenance of this constant state known as ‘homeostasis’. Your knowledge of normal fluid and electrolyte homeostatic processes will help you identify problems and anticipate therapy for various disease states.
To help you gain knowledge, this unit will review the anatomy and physiology of regulatory processes responsible for maintaining fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance required for normal cell function.
Learning Objectives #
After successfully completing this module, the learner will be able to:
1. Define the following terms:
Acid
Acidosis
Alkalosis
Active Transport
Base
Buffer
Capillary hydrostatic pressure
Capillary osmotic pressure
Diffusion:
Electrolyte
External exchange
Facilitated diffusion
Internal exchange
Non-electrolyte
Osmolality
Osmosis
Permability
pH
Tonicity
2. Identify key functions, distribution, normal serum concentration, minimum body requirements, regulatory mechanisms for:
water
potassium
sodium
magnesium
calcium
chloride
phosphate
bicarbonate
hydrogen
3. Describe how each of the following organ systems participates in external exchange of fluid and electrolytes:
Gastrointestinal tract
Renal system
Neuroendocrine system
Skin
Lungs
Cardiovascular system
Skeletal system
4. Identify the anatomical structures of internal exchange:
Intracellular compartment
Extracellular compartment
Interstitial compartment
Intravascular compartment
Capillary membrane
Cell membrane
5. Describe the mechanisms of internal exchange:
Diffusion
Active transport
Osmosis
Filtration
6. Identify the regulatory mechanisms of acid-base balance:
Buffer systems
Respiratory regulation
Renal regulation