Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base
Balance Chapter 39 Questions and
Answers Rated A+
What are the primary functions of sodium in the body?
✔✔ Sodium regulates fluid balance, supports nerve signaling, and maintains muscle function.
How does the body respond to increased hydrogen ion concentration in the blood?
✔✔ The respiratory rate increases to expel more CO2, and the kidneys excrete hydrogen ions
while reabsorbing bicarbonate.
What happens when potassium levels are too high?
✔✔ High potassium levels (hyperkalemia) can disrupt heart rhythms and lead to muscle
weakness.
How does dehydration affect electrolyte balance?
✔✔ Dehydration increases the concentration of electrolytes, potentially causing imbalances like
hypernatremia.
1
,What role does calcium play in muscle contraction?
✔✔ Calcium facilitates the interaction between actin and myosin, which is necessary for muscle
contraction.
How does the body regulate blood pH during metabolic alkalosis?
✔✔ The kidneys excrete bicarbonate and retain hydrogen ions to lower blood pH.
What is the impact of hypocalcemia on the nervous system?
✔✔ Hypocalcemia increases nerve excitability, leading to symptoms like tetany and muscle
spasms.
Why is magnesium important for cellular function?
✔✔ Magnesium is essential for enzyme activation, DNA synthesis, and maintaining
neuromuscular stability.
What is the role of bicarbonate in the body?
✔✔ Bicarbonate acts as a buffer to maintain blood pH within a normal range.
2
, How does aldosterone influence electrolyte balance?
✔✔ Aldosterone promotes sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion in the kidneys.
What happens to chloride levels during prolonged vomiting?
✔✔ Chloride levels decrease, leading to hypochloremia and potential metabolic alkalosis.
How does the body compensate for respiratory alkalosis?
✔✔ The kidneys retain hydrogen ions and excrete bicarbonate to restore acid-base balance.
What is the relationship between phosphate and calcium?
✔✔ Phosphate and calcium have an inverse relationship; high phosphate levels can reduce blood
calcium levels.
Why is potassium crucial for cardiac function?
✔✔ Potassium is essential for maintaining the electrical potential of cardiac cells, ensuring
proper heart rhythm.
What is the effect of severe diarrhea on electrolyte balance?
3
Balance Chapter 39 Questions and
Answers Rated A+
What are the primary functions of sodium in the body?
✔✔ Sodium regulates fluid balance, supports nerve signaling, and maintains muscle function.
How does the body respond to increased hydrogen ion concentration in the blood?
✔✔ The respiratory rate increases to expel more CO2, and the kidneys excrete hydrogen ions
while reabsorbing bicarbonate.
What happens when potassium levels are too high?
✔✔ High potassium levels (hyperkalemia) can disrupt heart rhythms and lead to muscle
weakness.
How does dehydration affect electrolyte balance?
✔✔ Dehydration increases the concentration of electrolytes, potentially causing imbalances like
hypernatremia.
1
,What role does calcium play in muscle contraction?
✔✔ Calcium facilitates the interaction between actin and myosin, which is necessary for muscle
contraction.
How does the body regulate blood pH during metabolic alkalosis?
✔✔ The kidneys excrete bicarbonate and retain hydrogen ions to lower blood pH.
What is the impact of hypocalcemia on the nervous system?
✔✔ Hypocalcemia increases nerve excitability, leading to symptoms like tetany and muscle
spasms.
Why is magnesium important for cellular function?
✔✔ Magnesium is essential for enzyme activation, DNA synthesis, and maintaining
neuromuscular stability.
What is the role of bicarbonate in the body?
✔✔ Bicarbonate acts as a buffer to maintain blood pH within a normal range.
2
, How does aldosterone influence electrolyte balance?
✔✔ Aldosterone promotes sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion in the kidneys.
What happens to chloride levels during prolonged vomiting?
✔✔ Chloride levels decrease, leading to hypochloremia and potential metabolic alkalosis.
How does the body compensate for respiratory alkalosis?
✔✔ The kidneys retain hydrogen ions and excrete bicarbonate to restore acid-base balance.
What is the relationship between phosphate and calcium?
✔✔ Phosphate and calcium have an inverse relationship; high phosphate levels can reduce blood
calcium levels.
Why is potassium crucial for cardiac function?
✔✔ Potassium is essential for maintaining the electrical potential of cardiac cells, ensuring
proper heart rhythm.
What is the effect of severe diarrhea on electrolyte balance?
3
