2024/ 2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
Pathophysiology Exam 1 Rasmussen
University Questions and Answers |
Latest Update | Passed
Stages of general adaptation syndrome
✓ 1. Alarm
✓ Initial reaction
✓ Sympathetic nervous system
✓
✓ 2. Resistance
✓ Adaptation
✓ Limit stressor
✓
✓ 3. Exhaustion
✓ Adaptation failing
✓ Disease develops
Edema
✓ Excess fluid in the interstitial space
Dehydration (ECF volume deficit)
✓ Can occur independently without electrolyte defects
✓ Decrease in fluid level leads to increase in level of blood solutes
✓ Cell shrinkage
✓ Hypotension
Hypovolemia or fluid volume deficit
✓ Decreased fluid in the intravascular space
Hypotonic Hydration
✓ (fluid overload)
1 | P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 0 2 5
,2024/ 2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
Causes of Fluid Deficit
✓ Inadequate fluid intake
Poor oral intake
Inadequate IV fluid replacement
Excessive fluid or sodium losses:
Gastrointestinal losses Excessive diaphoresis Prolonged hyperventilation Hemorrhage
Nephrosis Diabetes mellitus Diabetes insipidus Burns Open wounds Ascites Effusions
Excessive use of diuretics Osmotic diuresis
Deydration Manisfestations
✓ thirst, altered level of consciousness, hypotension, tachycardia, weak and thready
pulse, flat jugular veins, dry mucous membranes, decreased skin turgor, oliguria,
weight loss, and sunken fontanelles
Cancer Benign
✓ Slow, progressive, localized, well defined, resembles host (more differentiated),
grows by expansion, does not usually cause death
Cancer Malignant
✓ Rapid growing, spreads (metastasis) quickly, fatal, highly undifferentiated
Sodium
✓ Normal range: 135-145 mEq/L.
• Most significant cation and prevalent electrolyte of extracellular fluid.
• Controls serum osmolality and water balance. Plays a role in acid-base balance.
1 | P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 0 2 5
,2024/ 2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
• Facilitates muscles and nerve impulses.
• Main source is dietary intake.
• Excreted through the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract.
Hypernatremia
✓ Sodium > 145 mEq/L
Serum osmolarity increases
• Results in fluid shifts
Causes of Hypernatremia
✓ Excessive sodium ingestion Hypertonic IV saline (3% saline) administration
Cushing's syndrome
Corticosteroid use
Diarrhea
Excessive sweating
Prolonged episode of hyperventilation
Diuretic use Diabetes insipidus
Decreased water ingestion
Loss of thirst sensation
Inability to drink water
Third spacing
Vomiting
Hypernatremia Manifestations:
1 | P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 0 2 5
, 2024/ 2025 | © copyright | This work may not be copied for profit gain Excel!
✓ increased temperature, warm and flushed skin, dry and sticky mucous membranes,
dysphagia, increased thirst, irritability, agitation, weakness, headache, seizures,
lethargy, coma, blood pressure changes, tachycardia, weak and thready pulse, edema,
and decreased urine output
Hyponatremia
✓ Sodium < 135 mEq/L
Serum osmolarity decreases
Causes of Hyponatremia
✓ Deficient sodium
Diuretic use
Gastrointestinal losses
Excessive sweating
Insufficient aldosterone levels
Adrenal insufficiency
Dietary sodium restrictions
Excessive water
Hypotonic intravenous saline (0.45% saline) Hyperglycemia
Excessive water ingestion
Renal failure
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone Heart failure
Hyponatremia Manifestations:
✓ anorexia, gastrointestinal upset, poor skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, blood
pressure changes, pulse changes, edema, headache, lethargy, confusion, diminished
deep tendon reflexes, muscle weakness seizures, and coma
Hyponatremia Treatment:
1 | P a g e | G r a d e A + | 2 0 0 2 5
