Electrolytes

Question 2

What is osmolality and what does it measure?

Answer 2

The concentration of dissolved particles in blood serum - indicates the balance between body fluid and solutes helping to diagnose dehydration/euhydration/overhydration and hormone issues.

Question 3

What is the normal plasma osmolality of dogs?

Answer 3

290-310 mOsm/kg

Question 4

What is the normal plasma osmolality of cats?

Answer 4

290-330 mOsm/kg

Question 5

What is osmolarity?

Answer 5

the number of particles of solute per liter of solution

Question 6

What 3 substances does blood plasma contain?

Answer 6

Glucose, sodium, and urea

Question 7

What are four examples of insensible losses?

Answer 7

Sweating, panting, nasal discharge, and burns

Question 8

If a patient is dehydrated, will their osmolarity increase or decrease and why?

Answer 8

INCREASE because the amount of water in the body has decreased, leaving behind extra solutes

Question 9

Increased osmolarity causes water to flow ______ of the cell, causing the cell to ______.

Answer 9

Out, contract

Question 10

Hyperosmotic solutions

Answer 10

Solution whose osmolality is greater than that of plasma

Question 11

Hypoosmotic solutions

Answer 11

Solution whose osmolality is less than that of plasma

Question 12

Isoosmotic solutions

Answer 12

Solution whose osmolality is equal to that of plasma

Question 13

What is tonicity and what is it dependent on?

Answer 13

The ability of a solution to initiate water movement - dependent on the presence of impermeant solutes in the solution

Question 14

Name the four functions of sodium

Answer 14

Maintains serum osmolality, water balance, nerve impulse conduction, and muscle contraction

Question 15

Sodium is regulated by what hormone system/s?

Answer 15

RAAS (and the kidneys)

Question 16

Where is most of the body’s sodium found?

Answer 16

Extracellular fluid (ECF)

Question 17

How is sodium measured? (2 options)

Answer 17

mEq/L or mmol/L

Question 18

Typically, where does sodium come from?

Answer 18

Diet and water intake

Question 19

Normal ECF concentration of sodium

Answer 19

140mEq/L

Question 20

Normal ICF concentration of sodium

Answer 20

10mEq/L

Question 21

Water moves ______ the concentration gradient

Answer 21

Along, from low osmolality to high osmolality

Question 22

What is the primary effective osmole of ECF?

Answer 22

Sodium

Question 23

What is the primary effective osmole of ICF?

Answer 23

Potassium

Question 24

How is sodium removed from the ICF, and what is it exchanged for?

Answer 24

Na/K ATP pump, exchanged for potassium