Fluid and Electrolytes
Fluid and Electrolytes Imbalances
Fluid Compartments: * Extracellular Fluid (ECF) – This is fluid found outside of the cells and the amount of ECF decreases with age. In the newborn for example, approximately ½ of the body fluid is contained in the ECF. By the time the infant has reached one year old; the ECF has decreased to approximately 1/3 of the total volume. In an average 70 kg adult the ECF is approximately 15 liters of total volume. ECF can further be divided into the following: * Interstitial Fluid – This is the fluid that surrounds the cells and equals approximately 11 to 12 liters of fluid in adults (Lymph fluid is included in interstitial fluid). * Intravascular Fluid – This is the fluid contained within the blood vessels (plasma volume). The average adult blood volume is approximately 5 to 6 liters or which approximately 3 liters is plasma. The remaining 2 or 3 liters of volume consists of red blood cells and erythrocytes (which transport oxygen and important body buffers). * Transcellular Fluid – This is fluid contained within specialized cavities of the body and is also considered to be part of the ECF. Examples of trancellular fluid include: * Cerebral Spinal Fluid * Pericardial Fluid * Pleural Fluid * Synovial Fluid * Intraocular Fluid * Digestive Secretions
Intracellular Fluid (ICF) – This is the fluid that is contained within the cell. In adults it is approximately 2/3’s of the body’s fluid (27 liters). The ICF also known as “cellular soup” is comprised mostly of potassium, organic anions, proteins and other small cations and anions.
Note: The 60-40-20 rule is that in total 60% of our body weight is water with 40% of that being intracellular with the remaining 20% being extracellular. Factors That Affect Movement of Water and Solutes:
Membranes – Each of the fluid compartments are separated by specific permeable membranes that allow the movement of
Fluid Compartments: * Extracellular Fluid (ECF) – This is fluid found outside of the cells and the amount of ECF decreases with age. In the newborn for example, approximately ½ of the body fluid is contained in the ECF. By the time the infant has reached one year old; the ECF has decreased to approximately 1/3 of the total volume. In an average 70 kg adult the ECF is approximately 15 liters of total volume. ECF can further be divided into the following: * Interstitial Fluid – This is the fluid that surrounds the cells and equals approximately 11 to 12 liters of fluid in adults (Lymph fluid is included in interstitial fluid). * Intravascular Fluid – This is the fluid contained within the blood vessels (plasma volume). The average adult blood volume is approximately 5 to 6 liters or which approximately 3 liters is plasma. The remaining 2 or 3 liters of volume consists of red blood cells and erythrocytes (which transport oxygen and important body buffers). * Transcellular Fluid – This is fluid contained within specialized cavities of the body and is also considered to be part of the ECF. Examples of trancellular fluid include: * Cerebral Spinal Fluid * Pericardial Fluid * Pleural Fluid * Synovial Fluid * Intraocular Fluid * Digestive Secretions
Intracellular Fluid (ICF) – This is the fluid that is contained within the cell. In adults it is approximately 2/3’s of the body’s fluid (27 liters). The ICF also known as “cellular soup” is comprised mostly of potassium, organic anions, proteins and other small cations and anions.
Note: The 60-40-20 rule is that in total 60% of our body weight is water with 40% of that being intracellular with the remaining 20% being extracellular. Factors That Affect Movement of Water and Solutes:
Membranes – Each of the fluid compartments are separated by specific permeable membranes that allow the movement of