Electrolyte Homeostasis — Flashcards

Flashcard 1: The major buffer of the **extracellular fluid** is _____, whereas phosphate is a major buffer of the **intracellular fluid** (and urine).

Answer: bicarbonate

Extra: The bicarbonate buffer system is the primary buffer of the ECF. The phosphate buffer system is a major buffer in the ICF and urine (renal tubules), but plays a minor role in the ECF due to its low concentration. Proteins (like hemoglobin and plasma albumin) also serve as significant buffers in both compartments.

Flashcard 2: Lysis of cells may cause K+ to shift _____ cells, causing hyperkalemia

Answer: out of

Flashcard 3: If the "lost" HCO3- in metabolic acidosis is replaced by _____, the anion gap is increased

Answer: unmeasured ions

Flashcard 4: _____ is the most abundant intracellular anion.

Answer: Phosphate

Flashcard 5: The major anions of _____ fluid are proteins and organic phosphates

Answer: intracellular

Flashcard 6: Hypoparathyroidism is characterized by decreased serum _____ and increased serum phosphate (hyperphosphatemia)

Answer: calcium (hypocalcemia)

Flashcard 7: The range of normal values for the plasma anion gap is _____ to 16 mEq/L

Answer: 8