1. Acidosis is a condition where the blood pH falls below normal (< 7.
35), meaning there is too
much acid or too little base in the body.
Example
Respiratory Acidosis
3. Alkalosis is a condition where the blood pH rises above normal (> 7.45), meaning there is too
much base (alkali) or too little acid in the body.
3. Active Transport is the movement of substances from an area of low concentration to high
concentration using energy (ATP).
Example.
Sodium-Potassium Pump
Diffusion is the movement of particles (solute) from an area of high concentration to low
concentration until they are evenly spread.
Example Oxygen Exchange
In the lungs:
o Oxygen moves from alveoli (high concentration) to blood (low
concentration) by diffusion
o Carbon dioxide moves in the opposite direction
Drug Movement
Some medications move from blood into tissues where their concentration is lower
Electrolyte Movement
Electrolytes like sodium move across cell membranes by diffusion (if no energy is required)
Homeostasis is the body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment (balance) despite
changes inside or outside the body.
Temperature Regulation
Normal body temp ≈ 37°C
If patient has fever:
o Nurse gives antipyretics
o Encourages fluids
→ Helps restore homeostasis
Hydrostatic Pressure is the force exerted by a fluid (like blood or water) against the walls of a
blood vessel or container.
Example
Capillary Fluid Movement
In capillaries:
o Hydrostatic pressure pushes fluid out of blood into tissues
This helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to cells
A Hypertonic solution is a fluid that has a higher concentration of solutes (more “particles”) than
the body’s cells or blood plasma.
Examples
IV Fluids
Example: 3% normal saline (hypertonic saline)
Used in:
o Severe hypernatremia (low sodium)
o Cerebral Edema (brain swelling)
Effect: pulls water out of swollen brain cells → reduces swelling
Fluid Shift Effect
If given too quickly:
o Cells lose too much water
o Can lead to cell dehydration
A Hypotonic solution is a fluid that has a lower concentration of solutes (less particles) than the
body’s cells or blood plasma.
. IV Fluids
Example: 0.45% normal saline (half-normal saline)
Used in:
o Dehydration with high sodium (hypernatremia)
o Providing free water to cells
Effect: rehydrates cells by pushing water inside
A Isotonic solution is a fluid that has the same concentration of solutes as blood plasma
or body cells.
Common isotonic solutions:
0.9% Normal Saline (NS)
Lactated Ringer’s (RL)
Used for:
Fluid loss (dehydration, vomiting, diarrhoea)
Blood loss (hypovolemic)
Maintaining blood pressure
Osmolality is the measure of how many dissolved particles (solutes) are present in 1 kilogram of
fluid (usually water or body fluid).
Osmolality is the measure of the number of dissolved particles (solutes) in 1 litter of
solution (fluid).
1. IV Fluids
High osmolality (hypertonic fluids) → pull water out of cells
Low osmolality (hypotonic fluids) → push water into cells
Normal osmolality (isotonic fluids) → no major fluid shift
2. Dehydration
Blood becomes highly concentrated → high osmolality
Water moves out of cells → cells shrink
3. Over hydration
Blood becomes diluted → low osmolality
Water moves into cells → swelling risk
Osmosis
Osmosis is the movement of water molecules from an area of low solute concentration
(high water) to an area of high solute concentration (low water) through a semipermeable
membrane.
Example
Edema and Albumin
Low Albumin in blood:
o Water moves from blood → tissues
o Causes swelling (edema)
Tonicity is the ability of a solution to cause water movement into or out of a cell, depending on the
concentration of solutes compared to body fluids.