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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Do Electrolytes Control Fluid Balance? True or False

Quick, free quiz on electrolytes and fluid balance. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Taz IslamUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art style cell icons fluid droplets electrolyte symbols and balance gauge with quiz title on dark blue background

This quick quiz helps you check how electrolytes control fluid balance in your cells. Answer concise true-or-false questions and get instant feedback, then explore topics like strong vs weak electrolytes to strengthen your basics. For more practice, try our biology true or false quiz or build intuition about flow with a fluid flow practice quiz.

Easy
What is the primary role of electrolytes in fluid balance?
Establish osmotic gradients across cell membranes
Transport oxygen in the bloodstream
Serve as a source of cellular energy
Provide structural support to cells
Electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, regulate osmotic pressure by attracting water and determining fluid shifts between compartments. This osmotic gradient controls water movement into and out of cells. Without proper electrolyte balance, cells can swell or shrink, leading to dysfunction. Learn more about electrolyte function.
Which electrolyte is most abundant in extracellular fluid?
Sodium (Na+)
Magnesium (Mg2+)
Potassium (K+)
Phosphate (PO4^3-)
Sodium is the predominant extracellular cation, crucial for maintaining plasma volume and osmotic pressure. It attracts water and helps regulate blood pressure. Imbalances can lead to dehydration or fluid overload. .
Which hormone increases sodium reabsorption in the kidneys?
Antidiuretic hormone
Insulin
Parathyroid hormone
Aldosterone
Aldosterone, released by the adrenal cortex, enhances sodium reabsorption in the distal nephron. This action conserves sodium and water, raising blood volume and pressure. It also promotes potassium excretion. Adrenal hormone functions.
True or False: Potassium is the main intracellular cation influencing fluid balance.
False
True
Potassium is indeed the predominant intracellular cation, vital for cell volume regulation and membrane potential. It draws water into cells and participates in osmotic balance. Disruptions can cause cells to swell or shrink. .
Which process moves water across a semipermeable membrane following electrolyte gradients?
Filtration
Osmosis
Diffusion
Active transport
Osmosis is the passive movement of water from low solute concentration to high solute concentration across a semipermeable membrane. Electrolytes create solute gradients that drive this process. It's essential for cell hydration. .
Which electrolyte imbalance is characterized by low sodium levels?
Hypocalcemia
Hypokalemia
Hyponatremia
Hypernatremia
Hyponatremia refers to abnormally low serum sodium, often from excessive water retention or sodium loss. It can lead to cell swelling and neurological issues. Monitoring intake and output helps prevent it. .
Which organ is primarily responsible for maintaining electrolyte and fluid homeostasis?
Pancreas
Liver
Lungs
Kidneys
The kidneys filter blood to regulate electrolyte concentrations and water balance through filtration, reabsorption, and secretion. They adjust urine output to maintain homeostasis. Kidney dysfunction can severely affect fluid balance. .
Which electrolyte level rises when a person is dehydrated?
Potassium concentration
Magnesium concentration
Sodium concentration
Calcium concentration
In dehydration, water loss concentrates body fluids, increasing serum sodium (hypernatremia). This stimulates thirst and ADH release to conserve water. Rehydration reverses the concentration. .
What is the normal serum sodium range in adults?
100 - 110 mEq/L
150 - 160 mEq/L
135 - 145 mEq/L
120 - 130 mEq/L
Normal adult serum sodium levels range from 135 to 145 mEq/L, reflecting balanced water and sodium intake/excretion. Values outside this range indicate fluid or electrolyte disturbances. Regular monitoring is crucial in at-risk patients. .
Which electrolyte is crucial for muscle contraction and nerve impulse transmission?
Phosphate (PO4^3-)
Bicarbonate (HCO3-)
Chloride (Cl-)
Calcium (Ca2+)
Calcium ions trigger muscle fiber contraction by interacting with troponin and play a role in neurotransmitter release at synapses. It also participates in blood clotting and enzyme activation. Imbalances can cause cramps or cardiac issues. .
True or False: Chloride often follows sodium to maintain electrical neutrality.
True
False
Chloride is the main extracellular anion and accompanies sodium during fluid shifts to preserve electrical neutrality. It helps maintain osmotic pressure and acid-base balance. Abnormal levels affect hydration and pH. .
Which electrolyte imbalance can be caused by excessive vomiting?
Hyperkalemia
Hypochloremia
Hypercalcemia
Hypernatremia
Prolonged vomiting leads to loss of hydrochloric acid, reducing chloride levels (hypochloremia). This often accompanies metabolic alkalosis. Restoring fluids and electrolytes treats the imbalance. .
Which transport mechanism moves sodium out of cells using ATP?
Glucose co-transport
Facilitated diffusion
Passive diffusion
Sodium-potassium ATPase pump
The sodium-potassium ATPase pump actively transports three sodium ions out of the cell and two potassium ions in, using ATP. This maintains the electrochemical gradient essential for fluid distribution and cell function. Inhibitors disrupt fluid balance. .
What effect does antidiuretic hormone (ADH) have on electrolyte concentration?
Directly reabsorbs sodium
Inhibits potassium loss
Dilutes electrolytes by increasing water excretion
Concentrates electrolytes by reducing water excretion
ADH increases water reabsorption in the collecting ducts, reducing urine volume and concentrating serum electrolytes. It does not directly transport ions but influences plasma osmolality. ADH release responds to high osmolality. .
Which electrolyte plays a major role in the bicarbonate buffer system?
Chloride (Cl-)
Phosphate (PO4^3-)
Bicarbonate (HCO3-)
Sulfate (SO4^2-)
Bicarbonate ions buffer hydrogen ions to maintain blood pH. The bicarbonate buffer system involves CO2, H2O, H2CO3, and HCO3?. Kidneys regulate HCO3? reabsorption to preserve acid-base balance. .
Medium
How does hypernatremia affect intracellular fluid volume?
Decreases ICF volume as water shifts out of cells
Increases ICF volume as water shifts into cells
Has no effect on ICF volume
Only affects plasma volume
Hypernatremia raises extracellular osmolality, pulling water out of cells and shrinking ICF volume. This can cause cellular dehydration and neurological symptoms. Treating involves careful hypotonic fluid administration. .
Which electrolyte is exchanged for bicarbonate in renal tubular cells (chloride shift)?
Calcium (Ca2+)
Potassium (K+)
Chloride (Cl-)
Magnesium (Mg2+)
In the chloride shift, Cl? moves into red blood cells or renal tubular cells as HCO3? moves out, preserving electrical neutrality. This facilitates CO2 transport and pH regulation. It also occurs in kidney acid-base handling. .
What is the effect of loop diuretics on electrolyte balance?
Have no effect on magnesium
Decrease sodium excretion only
Increase calcium reabsorption
Increase sodium, potassium, and chloride excretion
Loop diuretics inhibit the Na+-K+-2Cl? symporter in the thick ascending limb, causing loss of sodium, potassium, and chloride. They can also increase magnesium and calcium excretion. This reduces blood volume and pressure. .
Which electrolyte imbalance is commonly seen in chronic kidney disease due to reduced excretion?
Hyponatremia
Hyperkalemia
Hypernatremia
Hypokalemia
In chronic kidney disease, impaired potassium excretion leads to hyperkalemia, increasing risk of cardiac arrhythmias. Monitoring dietary potassium and dialysis helps manage levels. .
How does aldosterone affect potassium balance?
Increases potassium reabsorption
Has no effect on potassium
Inhibits potassium excretion
Promotes potassium secretion in the distal nephron
Aldosterone increases sodium reabsorption and potassium secretion in the principal cells of the distal nephron. This helps maintain sodium balance while preventing hyperkalemia. High aldosterone can cause hypokalemia. Aldosterone functions.
Which condition is characterized by high potassium levels and can cause ECG changes?
Hypokalemia
Hypocalcemia
Hypernatremia
Hyperkalemia
Hyperkalemia leads to peaked T waves, widened QRS complexes, and potential cardiac arrest. It may result from renal failure or medications that impair excretion. Emergency treatment includes calcium, insulin, and dialysis. .
Which electrolyte is primarily regulated by parathyroid hormone?
Chloride (Cl-)
Calcium (Ca2+)
Sodium (Na+)
Potassium (K+)
Parathyroid hormone increases calcium reabsorption in the kidneys, mobilizes calcium from bone, and enhances activation of vitamin D for intestinal absorption. It lowers phosphate reabsorption to maintain calcium-phosphate balance. .
What mechanism causes fluid retention in heart failure affecting electrolytes?
Increased atrial natriuretic peptide
Inhibition of ADH release
Activation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
Reduced aldosterone secretion
In heart failure, reduced cardiac output triggers RAAS, increasing aldosterone and angiotensin II, causing sodium and water retention. This exacerbates edema and electrolyte imbalances. Therapies target RAAS blockade. .
How does SIADH (Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH) affect sodium and fluid balance?
Hyperkalemia due to potassium retention
Dilutional hyponatremia due to water retention
Hypernatremia due to sodium retention
No change in sodium but fluid loss
SIADH causes excessive ADH release, leading to water reabsorption and dilution of sodium in plasma. This results in dilutional hyponatremia and low plasma osmolality. Treatment involves fluid restriction. .
Which electrolyte contributes most to plasma osmolality alongside sodium?
Calcium
Glucose
Magnesium
Phosphate
Plasma osmolality is chiefly determined by sodium, glucose, and BUN. Glucose contributes significantly, especially in hyperglycemia. Calculated osmolality helps assess fluid disorders. .
What is the effect of metabolic acidosis on potassium distribution?
No effect on potassium
Shifts potassium into cells, causing hypokalemia
Increases renal potassium excretion only
Shifts potassium out of cells, causing hyperkalemia
In metabolic acidosis, excess H+ enters cells and K+ exits to maintain electroneutrality, raising serum potassium. This can cause dangerous hyperkalemia. Correcting acidosis helps restore balance. .
Which transport protein facilitates sodium-glucose co-transport in the kidney?
NKCC2
SGLT2
GLUT4
ENaC
SGLT2 in the proximal tubule reabsorbs filtered glucose with sodium, conserving both. Inhibition of SGLT2 increases glucosuria and natriuresis, used in diabetes management. SGLT2 function.
How does hypomagnesemia affect potassium balance?
Prevents potassium excretion causing hyperkalemia
Has no effect on potassium
Enhances intracellular potassium uptake
Promotes renal potassium loss causing hypokalemia
Low magnesium impairs Na+/K+-ATPase and ROMK channel regulation, increasing potassium secretion in urine and leading to refractory hypokalemia. Correcting magnesium is essential to treat low potassium. .
Hard
Which segment of the nephron is impermeable to water but actively reabsorbs electrolytes?
Collecting duct
Proximal convoluted tubule
Thick ascending limb of Henle's loop
Distal convoluted tubule
The thick ascending limb actively transports Na+, K+, and Cl? via NKCC2 but is impermeable to water, contributing to the medullary osmotic gradient. This countercurrent mechanism is vital for urine concentration. .
What is the effect of Bartter syndrome on electrolyte and fluid balance?
Salt wasting, hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis
Hypercalcemia and hypertension
Hyponatremia and volume overload
Hyperkalemia and acidosis
Bartter syndrome involves defective NKCC2, causing impaired NaCl reabsorption, salt wasting, volume depletion, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis. Patients often have hyperreninemia and hyperaldosteronism. .
Which regulator senses changes in sodium chloride delivery to the distal tubule?
Collecting duct
Macula densa
Juxtaglomerular cells
Proximal tubule
The macula densa cells of the distal tubule detect NaCl concentration, modulating tubuloglomerular feedback to adjust GFR and renin release. Low NaCl triggers renin secretion, activating RAAS. .
How does hyperaldosteronism present in terms of electrolytes?
Hypertension, hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis
Hypertension, hypermagnesemia, acidosis
Hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, alkalosis
Hypotension, hyperkalemia, acidosis
Excess aldosterone causes sodium retention and potassium excretion, leading to hypertension, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis. Conn's syndrome is a common cause. Treatment involves aldosterone antagonists. .
Which condition increases extracellular fluid osmolality and stimulates thirst?
Hyponatremia
Hypokalemia
Hypercalcemia
Hypernatremia
Hypernatremia elevates ECF osmolality, activating osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus and triggering thirst and ADH release. This helps restore fluid homeostasis. .
Which transporters are upregulated in the distal nephron in response to low sodium intake?
NHE3 and aquaporin-2
ENaC and Na+/K+ ATPase
GLUT1 and GLUT4
NKCC2 and SGLT2
Low sodium intake triggers aldosterone release, increasing expression of ENaC channels and Na+/K+ ATPase pumps in the distal nephron to enhance sodium reabsorption. This conserves sodium and water. .
What is the role of urea in medullary osmotic gradient formation?
Recycled urea increases interstitial osmolality in the inner medulla
Urea only functions as a nitrogen waste
Urea is completely excreted without affecting osmolality
Urea decreases interstitial osmolality
Urea is reabsorbed in the inner medullary collecting duct and secreted into the loop of Henle, concentrating interstitial fluid. This amplifies the corticomedullary osmotic gradient essential for water reabsorption. .
Which laboratory marker best reflects total body water status?
Serum magnesium concentration
Serum potassium concentration
Serum sodium concentration
Serum phosphate concentration
Serum sodium concentration is a reliable indicator of total body water relative to sodium content, guiding assessment of hydration status. Changes in sodium reflect shifts in water balance. .
How does loop diuretic-induced hypokalemia affect renal concentrating ability?
Enhanced medullary gradient and concentration
No effect on concentrating ability
Only affects acid-base balance
Impaired countercurrent multiplication, reducing medullary gradient
Hypokalemia from loop diuretics disrupts NKCC2 and urea recycling, impairing countercurrent multiplication and weakening the medullary osmotic gradient. This reduces the kidney's ability to concentrate urine. .
Which receptor on juxtaglomerular cells responds directly to perfusion pressure?
Baroreceptors in afferent arteriole
ENaC channels
Macula densa sensors
Aquaporin channels
Juxtaglomerular cells contain stretch-sensitive baroreceptors that detect changes in afferent arteriole pressure, modulating renin release. Low pressure stimulates renin to restore perfusion. .
What is the effect of proximal tubule PTH action on phosphate and calcium?
Decreases phosphate reabsorption, increases calcium reabsorption indirectly
No effect on phosphate, increases calcium excretion
Decreases both phosphate and calcium reabsorption
Increases phosphate and calcium reabsorption
PTH reduces phosphate reabsorption by downregulating Na+/PO4 cotransporters in the proximal tubule, while enhancing calcium reabsorption in the distal nephron. This increases serum calcium and decreases serum phosphate. .
Which enzyme catalyzes the formation of angiotensin II, affecting sodium retention?
Renin
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
Aldosterone synthase
ACE2
ACE converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor that stimulates aldosterone to increase sodium and water retention. ACE inhibitors block this pathway to treat hypertension. .
How does severe hypoalbuminemia influence fluid distribution and electrolytes?
Only affects potassium levels
Decreases plasma oncotic pressure, causing edema and dilutional hyponatremia
Increases plasma oncotic pressure, causing dehydration
No effect on fluid distribution
Albumin maintains oncotic pressure; low levels lead to fluid shift to interstitial spaces causing edema. Plasma becomes diluted, often resulting in hyponatremia. Correcting albumin helps restore balance. .
Expert
Which genetic mutation affects the epithelial sodium channel leading to Liddle syndrome?
Mutation in Na+/K+ ATPase
Gain-of-function mutation in ENaC subunits
Loss-of-function mutation in NKCC2
Mutation in aquaporin-2
Liddle syndrome results from gain-of-function mutations in the ? or ? subunits of ENaC, causing excessive sodium reabsorption, hypertension, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis. It mimics hyperaldosteronism but with low aldosterone levels. .
How does central pontine myelinolysis relate to rapid correction of which electrolyte disturbance?
Hyponatremia
Hyperkalemia
Hypermagnesemia
Hypocalcemia
Overly rapid correction of chronic hyponatremia can cause central pontine myelinolysis due to osmotic injury of oligodendrocytes. Guidelines recommend slow sodium correction to avoid neurological damage. .
Which experimental technique measures transcellular sodium flux indirectly via radioactive isotopes?
Isotope tracer studies with 22Na
Fluorescence microscopy
Patch-clamp electrophysiology
NMR spectroscopy
Radioactive 22Na tracer studies quantify sodium transport across cell membranes by tracking isotope movement. This allows calculation of transcellular flux and transporter activity. It's widely used in physiology research. .
In Down syndrome, which electrolyte disorder is often observed due to congenital heart defects and diuretic use?
Hyponatremia
Hypercalcemia
Hypokalemia
Hypernatremia
Children with Down syndrome commonly have congenital cardiac anomalies requiring diuretics, leading to potassium loss and hypokalemia. Monitoring and supplementation are important for cardiac function. .
Which computational model simulates renal electrolyte handling under varying hormonal influences?
Lotka-Volterra equations
Guyton's renal function model
Hodgkin-Huxley model
Michaelis-Menten kinetics
Guyton's renal function model integrates nephron segment transport processes and hormonal controls (e.g., RAAS, ADH) to predict electrolyte and fluid balance. It's foundational in computational physiology. .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Electrolyte Roles -

    Grasp how electrolytes control fluid balance within cells and across bodily compartments.

  2. Analyze Fluid Balance Quiz Statements -

    Evaluate true/false questions on electrolyte functions to deepen your understanding of fluid dynamics.

  3. Differentiate Bodily Fluids -

    Identify and compare naturally occurring fluids in the human body and their relevance to hydration.

  4. Apply Hydration Principles -

    Use quiz insights to make informed decisions about maintaining optimal fluid balance through proper electrolyte intake.

  5. Evaluate Electrolyte Imbalances -

    Assess the impact of deficient or excessive electrolytes on cellular hydration and overall health.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Osmotic Pressure and Fluid Shifts -

    Electrolytes control fluid balance by creating osmotic gradients that drive water movement between compartments; remember the van 't Hoff equation (π = iMRT) to estimate osmotic pressure. This principle underpins many human body fluid balance questions and is frequently tested in a fluid balance quiz. A quick mnemonic is "MIRT" (Molarity, i-value, R constant, Temperature) for recalling the formula.

  2. Sodium-Potassium Pump Dynamics -

    The Na❺/K❺-ATPase actively moves 3 Na❺ out and 2 K❺ into cells, using 1 ATP, to maintain membrane potential and regulate cell volume (American Physiological Society). Understanding this pump is key for any electrolyte true false quiz question about active transport. Tip: think "3 up, 2 in, ATP's win" to remember the stoichiometry.

  3. Intracellular vs Extracellular Water Distribution -

    About two-thirds of body water resides in the intracellular fluid (ICF) and one-third in the extracellular fluid (ECF), which splits into plasma (~20%) and interstitial fluid (~80%). This ratio is vital for naturally occurring fluids quiz items on compartment volumes. Visualize a pie chart splitting ICF and ECF to solidify these percentages.

  4. Key Electrolyte Concentrations and Homeostasis -

    Normal plasma sodium (135 - 145 mEq/L), potassium (3.5 - 5.0 mEq/L), calcium (8.5 - 10.5 mg/dL) and magnesium (1.7 - 2.2 mg/dL) ranges are core facts for human body fluid balance questions (NIH Clinical Center). Deviations signal disorders like hyponatremia or hyperkalemia. Use the phrase "Na-Ka-Ca-Mg" to recall the order from highest to lowest normal plasma concentration.

  5. Common Fluid Imbalances and Clinical Implications -

    Dehydration, overhydration, hyponatremia and hypernatremia illustrate how electrolyte disturbances disrupt fluid balance and organ function (Journal of Clinical Nutrition). Practice with a fluid balance quiz to recognize signs like confusion or edema linked to these imbalances. Remember "SALT LOSS" (Sweating, Aldosterone low, Loop diuretics, Thyroid issues, Liver failure, Overhydration, SIADH, Skin burns) to recall hyponatremia causes.

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