XV Glossary
Open Resources for Nursing (Open RN)
Active transport: Movement of solutes and ions across a cell membrane against a concentration gradient from an area of lower concentration to an area of higher concentration using energy during the process. (Chapter 15.2)
Chvostek’s sign: An assessment sign of acute hypocalcemia characterized by involuntary facial muscle twitching when the facial nerve is tapped. (Chapter 15.4)
Diffusion: The movement of solute particles from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. (Chapter 15.2)
Edema: Swelling caused by excessive interstitial fluid retention. (Chapter 15.2)
Extracellular fluids (ECF): Fluids found outside cells in the intravascular or interstitial spaces. (Chapter 15.2)
Filtration: Movement of fluids through a permeable membrane utilizing hydrostatic pressure. (Chapter 15.2)
Hydrostatic pressure: The pressure that a contained fluid exerts on what is confining it. (Chapter 15.2)
Hypercapnia: Elevated levels of retained carbon dioxide in the body. (Chapter 15.5)
Hypertonic solution: Intravenous fluids with a higher concentration of dissolved particles than blood plasma. (Chapter 15.3)
Hypervolemia: Excess intravascular fluid. Used interchangeably with “excessive fluid volume.” (Chapter 15.3)
Hypotonic solution: Intravenous fluids with a lower concentration of dissolved particles than blood plasma. (Chapter 15.3)
Hypovolemia: Intravascular fluid loss. Used interchangeably with “deficient fluid volume” and “dehydration.” (Chapter 15.2)
Interstitial fluids: Fluids found between the cells and outside of the vascular system. (Chapter 15.2)
Intracellular fluids (ICF): Fluids found inside cells consisting of protein, water, and electrolytes. (Chapter 15.2)
Intravascular fluids: Fluids found in the vascular system consisting of the body’s arteries, veins, and capillary networks. (Chapter 15.2)
Isotonic solution: Intravenous fluids with a similar concentration of dissolved particles as blood plasma. (Chapter 15.3)
Oncotic pressure: Pressure inside the vascular compartment created by protein content of the blood (in the form of albumin) that holds water inside the blood vessels. (Chapter 15.2)
Osmolality: Proportion of dissolved particles in a specific weight of fluid. (Chapter 15.2)
Osmolarity: Proportion of dissolved particles or solutes in a specific volume of fluid. (Chapter 15.2, Chapter 15.3)
Osmosis: Movement of fluid through a semipermeable membrane from an area of lesser solute concentration to an area of greater solute concentration. (Chapter 15.2)
Passive transport: Movement of fluids or solutes down a concentration gradient where no energy is used during the process. (Chapter 15.2)
Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): A body system that regulates extracellular fluids and blood pressure by regulating fluid output and electrolyte excretion. (Chapter 15.2)
Transcellular fluid: Fluid in areas such as cerebrospinal, synovial, intrapleural, and gastrointestinal system. (Chapter 15.2)
Trousseau’s sign: A sign associated with hypocalcemia that causes a spasm of the hand when a blood pressure cuff is inflated. (Chapter 15.4)
Urine specific gravity: A measurement of hydration status that measures the concentration of particles in urine. (Chapter 15.6)