solute
SOL-yoot noun Spanish soluto
A substance, such as salt or sugar, that is dissolved in a liquid.
- Spanish
- soluto
- Also written
- solutes
What it means
In body fluids, the solutes include electrolytes such as sodium, glucose and proteins, and the liquid they dissolve in (the solvent) is water. The amount of solute decides a fluid's osmolarityoz-moh-LAIR-ih-teeThe amount of dissolved particles in a set volume of fluid, which decides which way water moves.Full entry and which way water moves between compartments.
Words that go with it
Read these next: they turn up in the same notes, orders and questions.
ih-LEK-troh-lytA mineral that carries an electric charge when dissolved in body fluids, such as sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride.
osmolarityoz-moh-LAIR-ih-teeThe amount of dissolved particles in a set volume of fluid, which decides which way water moves.
serum osmolalitySEER-um oz-moh-LAL-ih-teeA blood test that measures how concentrated the blood is, by the amount of dissolved particles in it.
A client’s heart rate is 128 beats per minute an hour after surgery. Which finding is the most likely cause of the tachycardia?
tak-ih-KAR-dee-uhA heart rate faster than normal; in an adult, more than 100 beats per minute.
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