NUSCTX 10S MIDTERM 1 UPDATED
EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
Diet, Acid-Base Balance, and Osteoporosis - Correct Answer -- if the level of
calcium in the blood gets too low, this important electrolyte is drawn from the
bones
- excess dietary sodium = calcium loss
- over time, this can lead to low bone density
Regulation of Electrolytes - Correct Answer -• Blood levels of electrolytes tightly
controlled
• Largely regulated by the kidneys
-Reabsorb or filter depending on blood levels
-Reabsorb sodium as a means to reabsorb water (fluid balance)
-Salt-sensitive people do not filter as well, retain more water and have increased
BV and BP.
Sodium (Na+) - Correct Answer -• Principle extracellular cation
• Functions: fluid balance, nerve transmission, muscle contractions
• Kidneys regulate levels well
,-filter excess
-reabsorbed if low BV
• When ↑ Na+intake, thirst signals to dilute with water
• Toxicity: high blood pressure, bloating
• Deficiency: rare, hyponatremia in athletes that replace fluids w/o electrolytes
(headache, dizzy, nausea, muscle cramps, coma, death)
Sodium Sources & Needs - Correct Answer -•Estimated requirement: 200-500
mg/d
•AI: 1,500 mg/d (19-50 y.o.)
•UL: 2,300 mg/d (1 tsp salt)
•Average US intake: 3,300 mg daily
•Sources: salt, processed foods
Potassium (K+) - Correct Answer -•Principle intracellular cation
•Functions: fluid balance, nerve transmission, muscle contraction (heartbeat
regulation)
•Deficiency: rare
•Toxicity: not unless kidney disease,
•could lead to possible heart attack
•Sources: Abundant in fresh foods &•fruits & vegetables
•Lost in processing
, Chloride (CI-) - Correct Answer -•Major extracellular anion
•Food source: salt, NaCl is 60% Cl-
•Functions: fluid balance, nerve impulse, part of HCl•Deficiency: rare, can occur
with vomiting
•Toxicity: None
Primary Systems to that regulate water balance - Correct Answer -- Retain Water
and increase blood pressure -Anti diuretic hormone (ADH)
- Retain levels of sodium, potassium and hydrogen in blood and blood pressure-
Renin-angiotensin-aldosteronepathway (system)
thirst mechanism - Correct Answer -a cluster of nerve cells in the hypothalamus
that stimulate our conscious desire to drink fluids in response to an increase in the
concentration of salt in our blood or a decrease in blood pressure and blood
volume
Aldosterone - Correct Answer -promotes the reabsorptionof salt and water in
proportionate amounts
EXAM 2026 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS
Diet, Acid-Base Balance, and Osteoporosis - Correct Answer -- if the level of
calcium in the blood gets too low, this important electrolyte is drawn from the
bones
- excess dietary sodium = calcium loss
- over time, this can lead to low bone density
Regulation of Electrolytes - Correct Answer -• Blood levels of electrolytes tightly
controlled
• Largely regulated by the kidneys
-Reabsorb or filter depending on blood levels
-Reabsorb sodium as a means to reabsorb water (fluid balance)
-Salt-sensitive people do not filter as well, retain more water and have increased
BV and BP.
Sodium (Na+) - Correct Answer -• Principle extracellular cation
• Functions: fluid balance, nerve transmission, muscle contractions
• Kidneys regulate levels well
,-filter excess
-reabsorbed if low BV
• When ↑ Na+intake, thirst signals to dilute with water
• Toxicity: high blood pressure, bloating
• Deficiency: rare, hyponatremia in athletes that replace fluids w/o electrolytes
(headache, dizzy, nausea, muscle cramps, coma, death)
Sodium Sources & Needs - Correct Answer -•Estimated requirement: 200-500
mg/d
•AI: 1,500 mg/d (19-50 y.o.)
•UL: 2,300 mg/d (1 tsp salt)
•Average US intake: 3,300 mg daily
•Sources: salt, processed foods
Potassium (K+) - Correct Answer -•Principle intracellular cation
•Functions: fluid balance, nerve transmission, muscle contraction (heartbeat
regulation)
•Deficiency: rare
•Toxicity: not unless kidney disease,
•could lead to possible heart attack
•Sources: Abundant in fresh foods &•fruits & vegetables
•Lost in processing
, Chloride (CI-) - Correct Answer -•Major extracellular anion
•Food source: salt, NaCl is 60% Cl-
•Functions: fluid balance, nerve impulse, part of HCl•Deficiency: rare, can occur
with vomiting
•Toxicity: None
Primary Systems to that regulate water balance - Correct Answer -- Retain Water
and increase blood pressure -Anti diuretic hormone (ADH)
- Retain levels of sodium, potassium and hydrogen in blood and blood pressure-
Renin-angiotensin-aldosteronepathway (system)
thirst mechanism - Correct Answer -a cluster of nerve cells in the hypothalamus
that stimulate our conscious desire to drink fluids in response to an increase in the
concentration of salt in our blood or a decrease in blood pressure and blood
volume
Aldosterone - Correct Answer -promotes the reabsorptionof salt and water in
proportionate amounts
