Abstract
The paper articulates the electrolyte and fluid study by describing functions and location of various body fluids and factors that affects variations in fluid compartments. These body fluids involves Body fluids involve blood plasma, mucus and lymphatic fluid, saliva and gastric juice, and other fluids such as tears, sweat, semen and vaginal secretions. The functions, regulation, sources and losses of the main electrolytes in the body are also described. The paper also outlines the basic principles of some of the processes that occur in human body such as osmosis, filtration, active transport and diffusion.
In order to understand electrolyte and fluid study in depth, thirst and the organs of homeostasis, such as heart and blood vessels, kidneys, pituitary gland, lungs, adrenal glands and parathyroid glands are described how they maintain fluid homeostasis. The role of respiratory and buffer systems and renal mechanisms in reaching and upholding acid-base balance is also brought to focus is also described. The paper also Pinpoint the etiologies, defining features, and behavior modalities for collective electrolyte, acid-base balance including respiratory, fluid, and metabolic. Electrolyte, fluid, and acid-base balance assessment are also described together with the steps for understanding and arterial blood gas.
Question 1
The living human’s body consists of many various types of fluids that are located in different parts of the body to play significant roles in their functions. Body fluids involve blood plasma, mucus and lymphatic fluid, saliva and gastric juice, and other fluids such as tears, sweat, semen and vaginal secretions.
Blood plasma is found in the circulation system of the human body. It is liquid component of blood that transports hormones, blood cells, protein, amino acids, vitamins and antibodies all through the body. Lymphatic blood is another body fluid that originates from the circulation system but passes out of the veins and arteries network into interstitial space between cells. This fluid plays a defensive role by eliminating pathogen and microbes in the body cells. Mucus is referred to as viscous fluid that also plays a defensive role by trapping unwanted elements from entering the body via the respiratory system.
Swear is a body fluid located on the human skin that assists in regulating the body temperature. On the other hand, tears are removed by the lacrimal grand and assists in lubricating and cleaning the surface of the human eye. Vitreous and aqueous humors are located in the interior and exterior part of the eye and are used to provide defense and nutrients, and maintain the pressure in the organ. Semen is found on the male productive system and are used as delivery system of sperms. Female produces virginal fluid that enhances intercourse by lubricating the vagina. Acidic gastric juice is found in the stomach and assists in the process of digestion.
The variation of the body fluid compartments is affected by various factors. This factor includes gender, percentage of body fat, and age. Thus, these compliments changes depending with the factors mentioned (Lucking 2002).
Question 2
Calcium in the human body is used to maintain and build bones, and plays a role in muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission. The regulation of calcium, vitamin C and parathyroid hormone, is required for various fundamental body functions such as blood clotting, bone structure, cell function and neural transmission (Shires 2009). It is absorbed from yogurt, milk, and cheese in the typical diet. Calcium is lost through vomiting, diarrhea, drugs taking, inadequate salt intake, severe burns, and water intoxication among others.
Potassium plays a vital role in controlling fluid balances in cells, nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction. Loss of potassium can result to hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can result from kidney disease, excess adrenal hormones, and long-term use of certain diuretic drugs, bulimia, laxative abuse, and kidney failure. Potassium is acquired through consumption of diets with meat, vegetables, milk and yoghurt, and fruits as well. Potassium is regulated in the kidneys and assists to eliminate excess sodium from the body.
Calcium is used in the body to maintain the density of bone, facilitating the heart pumping and ensure that nerves are properly working. Sources of calcium are non- and low-fat milk, skim milk, nonfat yogurt, kale, broccoli, calcium-enriched breads and juices, baked beans and green-leafy vegetables. It is regulated by parathyroid hormone (PTH).
Magnesium in the body is involved in various processes that include energy metabolism, muscle, nerve and bone health, blood sugar, levels, blood pressure levels, protein synthesis, and immune system health. Sources of magnesium involve green vegetables, nuts, grains and seafood. It is regulated in the lower intestine and excreted in the kidney. Loss of magnesium is associated with alcoholism and malnourished.
Chloride in the body plays a role in regulating the blood pressure. It is regulated by the parathyroid hormone. The loss of chloride is mainly caused by the excessive fluid loss such as diarrhea. The main source of chloride includes celery, tomatoes and lettuce.
The main function of phosphorous is production of both teeth and bones. Phosphorous is regulated by the calcium and Vitamin D. the main sources of phosphorous include food sources such as lentils, salmon, turkey, halibut, yogurt, chicken, almonds and eggs. The loss of phosphorous is caused by kidney disease, vitamin D deficiency, kidney dialysis, and hormonal imbalances.
Question 3
The principles of diffusion and osmosis processes are closely related to each other. Diffusion involves dispersion of the matter in a manner that equal concentration is attained throughout the environment. The movement of the matter is from high concentration to lower concentration. On the other hand, osmosis is the diffusion of liquid through a semi permeable membrane.
Active transport is process that involves movement of substances against concentration gradient across semi permeable membrane. The substance moves from a low concentration region to high concentration region. In this process chemical energy such as f the process uses chemical energy, such as energy from adenosine triphosphate is used.
Filtration is a process that filters out the unwanted chemicals in the body as well as excess water. Filtration process occurs in the microscopic tubules found in the kidney. This is where the unwanted chemicals are clutched out of the blood and other certain chemicals are permitted to diffuse back in (Tryniszewski 2007). filtration is facilitated by the heat beat. Heart pushes blood into the glomerulus where small chemicals, such as urine, and water are squeezed via the capillary wall into the bowman capsule. Proteins and Blood cells and filtered out due to their large size.
Question 4
The function of kidney in homeostasis is to regulate the volume of water in the human body and balance the concentration of mineral ions found in blood. Kidney also holds the important substance such as protein and glucose in the body. Heart and blood vessels maintains the cardiovascular homeostasis. Heart and blood vessels are triggered by the brain to regulate the blood pressure.
The primary function of the adrenal glands is to regulate the homeostasis and permit the body to adapt the stress resulting from both the external and internal environment. These glands are referred to as watch guard since they protect the entire regulatory systems. It protects the tissues and other organs from the stress and then controls the regulatory systems over allostasis back to homeostasis.
Lung balances the two main things; level of carbon dioxide and oxygen and the acid balance in the body. The main aim is to remove carbon dioxide is by its effect on pH of the blood. The other homeostasis functions of the lung are regulation of blood sugar and conversion of nitrogenous waste. On the other hand, the main function of the pituitary glands in homeostasis is to secrete hormones that regulate homeostasis. The parathyroid gland plays a role of controlling extracellular calcium homeostasis. This is important in various psychological processes such as blood coagulation, muscle contraction and synaptic activity.
Question 5
The ph in a human body remains constant both inside and outside the cells. Alterations that may characterize the balance of the acids and bases are normally resisted by intercellular and extracellular chemical buffers, renal and respiratory regulation. First, the blood and the kidneys buffers try to correct the metabolic disorders. The lungs on the other hand try to correct the respiratory disorders.
Chemical buffers minimize the ph change in blood. Bicarbonate is the single most important buffer. The buffer is regenerated by the kidneys. The bicarbonate maintains the acid base balance by excreting the hydrogen ions that are present in urine as titratable acids and ammonia. Other examples of buffers that are present in the body include plasma proteins and inorganic phosphates that are found in extracellular fluid, organic phosphates and cell proteins found in intracellular found and mineral carbonates and phosphates found in the bone (Shires 2009).
The respiratory mechanism is involved in the maintenance of the acid and base balance through the lungs. The lungs correct the deviations in the acid base balance by altering the carbonic acid and carbon dioxide concentration in blood. This is done through increased breathing in a situation where acidosis has occurred and on the hand leading to hyperventilation whiles on the other hand, an occurrence of alkalosis lead to its suppression (Eccles 2002).
The renal system also plays an important role in the achievement and subsequent maintenance of the acid base balance in the body. This is done through the kidneys which perform two basic roles. This is the bicarbonate re-absorption from urine and the excretion of the hydrogen ions into the urine. These two activities help to maintain a balance of acids and bases in the blood.
Question 6
Water makes up about 66% of the human body. The water is however not distributed evenly. It is separated into various compartments. Intercellular fluid is the fluid inside the cells while extra cellular fluid is the one that is outside the cells. A quarter of this is plasma while the rest is the interstitial fluid. A balance is maintained in the body fluids such that the amount of fluid in is equal to the amount of fluid out. This amount is about 2500ml.
Electrolytes are normally dissolved in the body fluids. The individual electrolytes concentration found in the compartments of the body fluid is at all times normal and relatively constant. The predominant extracellular cation is sodium while chloride the extracellular cation that is predominant. The predominant intercellular cation is potassium while the intercellular anion that is predominant is phosphate.
The acid base balance is also maintained in the body. An acid increases the hydrogen ions concentration in the blood while a base decreases the hydrogen ions concentration. The normal ph of arterial blood is supposed to be 7.4 while that of the venous blood is supposed to be 7.35 (Eccles 2002).
Cellular metabolism may cause an acid base imbalance. Acidosis refers to a situation where the blood Ph falls below 7.35. Alkalosis is a situation where the blood PH rises above 7.45.These respiratory and metabolic alkalosis are usually rectified by the body through the buffering, renal and respiratory systems.
Question 7
The largest component of the body is water. Because of this large component of the body fluid, the balance of fluids is very paramount. It is therefore very essential that an assessment of the body’s fluid balance is done. The body fluid is the vehicle through which nutrients are transported in the body. It also transports waste products. In addition, there are various chemical reactions that occur through the body fluids. Excretion of a high amount of body fluids is made in the kidneys. Other organs that are involved in the excretion of body fluids are the lungs and the skins. Sources of body fluids include fat, protein and carbohydrate digestion, mouth ingestion amongst others. A balance between fluids ingested and fluids excretion must be maintained. Chronic diseases, trauma or medications may lead to an imbalance of the major electrolytes in the body (Lucking 2012). This subsequently leads to a disorder in the body and the situation must be rectified immediately. This can be done through replacement therapies and hemodialysis treatment.
The degree of alkalinity or acidity is a very important blood property. The balance of the body between alkalinity and acidity is called acid base balance. This balance should be precisely controlled. This is because very minimal deviations from the range that is normal can lead to the severing of many organs in the body. The body therefore incorporates several mechanisms in trying to maintain this balance. The mechanism is three in number and the buffering systems, the respiratory and the renal systems. Each of these systems has as significant role in the maintenance of acid- base balance. The renal and respiratory organs involved in these control mechanisms are the lungs and the kidney.
Question 8
There are six steps that can be used in the analysis of the arterial blood gas
Analysis of the Ph
This is the first step in the analysis of ABG. The ph of the normal blood is usually 7.4 with an allowed deviation of 0.05. The blood is said to be acid if its ph is below 7.35. It is beyond 7.45 it said to be alkalotic. A label should be made on the side that the blood falls on when investigated.
Analysis of carbon (IV) oxide
This is the second step in the analysis of ABG. The level of carbon dioxide in the body is analyzed. Normal level of carbon dioxide is 35 to 45mmHg. If it falls below 35, then it is said to be alkalotic and if goes beyond 45, it is said to be acidic. This should properly labeled.
Analysis of the hydrogen carbonates
The hydrogenate carbonates analysis is the third step. The normal level is about 22 to 26mEq/L. The patient is said to be acidotic if the test reveals that his hydrogen carbonates level falls below 22. He is alkalotic if it goes above 26. Once again, a correct label of this should be made.
Matching of the hydrogen carbonate or carbon dioxide with ph
This is done to establish the disorder of the acid base components. For instance, if both the carbon dioxide and the ph levels are acidotic, then the disturbance is a consequence of the patient’s respiratory system. This actually referred to as respiratory acidosis. If the hydrogen carbonates and ph are alkalotic, the disturbance has been caused by metabolic system. This is referred to as metabolic alkalosis.
The relationship between ph, CO2 and HCO3
This is the determination of the whether the three elements orientate towards similar or different directions. This will help to establish the kind of disorder that the patient is suffering from
Analysis of the O2 and pO2 saturation
The evaluation of the saturation of the two elements is made. If they fall below the normal level, then there is evidence that the patient is suffering from hypoxemia.
References
Fluid/Electrolyte/Acid–Base Abnormalities - Springer. (n.d.). Home - Springer. Retrieved from http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-0-85729-923-9_35#page-1
Lucking, S. E. (2012). Pediatric critical care study guide: Text and review. London: Springer.
http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-0-85729-923-9_35#page-1
Eccles, R. (2002). Electrolytes, body fluids, and acid base balance. London: Edward Arnold
Shires, G. T. (2009). Fluids, electrolytes, and acid bases. New York: Churchill Livingstone.
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