For more information related to the topics in any of these chapters, please see our further reading list located in Resources or click here to download a PDF version of this list.
This program presents the various components of acid-base disturbances in a well-structured, easy to understand layout.
Getting Started
An Illustrated text developed primarily for undergraduate medical students as an introductory resource to link basic concepts to relevant clinical problems.
The Cellular Environment
Important basic background on the cell and its surroundings.
Coming to Terms with Terms
A overview of the terminology that you will need to know for discussing fluids and electrolytes that will inform the rest of the chapters.
The Distribution of Body Fluids
This chapter outlines the way in which water is distributed throughout the body, and explores some of the basic rules governing its transfer from one compartment to another.
The Regulation of Body Fluids
The regulation of fluid distribution within the body involves a series of co-ordinated responses to change. Find out more in this chapter.
Body Fluids in Abnormal States
This chapter discusses what happens when the system is stressed.
The Regulation of Sodium
This chapter talks about the role the kidney plays in the regulation of sodium and extracellular fluid volume.
The Regulation of Water
The importance of maintaining a balance of water in the body.
The Regulation of Hydrogen Ions
The body is constantly producing protons which threaten the stability of the hydrogen ion concentration upon which the cells rely if they are to function normally. Most are removed by oxidation but if not, they have to be dealt with in other ways. Find out how in this chapter.
The Regulation of Potassium
The importance of regulation of potassium in the body.
The Regulation of Calcium and Phosphate
The effects of calcium and phosphate regulation in the body.
Some Therapeutic Guidelines
Some general principles which should encourage confidence that fluid therapy is not a great mystery but can be planned safely and logically using the basic concepts presented in these chapters.
The understanding and recognition of acid-base disturbances is a particularly challenging area of study. This interactive module presents the various components of this topic in a well-structured, easy to understand layout that may help you to obtain a better grasp of this difficult subject area.