Word parts
What it means
A steroid hormone made in the outer layer of the adrenal glands. It is released when blood pressure or blood volume falls (through the renin-angiotensin system) or when the potassiumpuh-TAS-ee-umA mineral in the blood that nerves and muscles, including the heart, need in order to work.Full entry level rises. It acts on the kidneys to hold on to sodiumSOH-dee-umA mineral in the blood that controls how water moves in the body and helps nerves and muscles work.Full entry and water, which raises blood volume and pressure, and to pass more potassium into the urine. Spironolactone is a diuretic that blocks it.
For the nurse
Drugs that block this system (ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and spironolactone) can raise the potassium level, so the level is checked while the client takes them.
At a glance
| Spanish | aldosterona |
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Related terms
potassium
A mineral in the blood that nerves and muscles, including the heart, need in order to work.
sodium
A mineral in the blood that controls how water moves in the body and helps nerves and muscles work.
cortisol
A steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands that helps control blood sugar, blood pressure, stress and inflammation.
kidney
One of two bean-shaped organs in the back of the belly that filter the blood and make urine.
reabsorption
The taking back of water and dissolved substances from the fluid in the kidney tubules into the blood.