Assessment of Renal Function

Question 1

• What are the three types of renal failure?

Answer 1

Pre-renal, renal, post-renal

Question 2

• What is the gold standard in assessing renal function?

Answer 2

GFR – glomerular filtration rate

Question 3

• What is renal clearance an indication of?

Answer 3

The kidney’s ability to remove compounds

Question 4

• What does renal clearance depend on?

Answer 4

GFR, tubular reabsorption and tubular secretion

Question 5

• What does endogenous clearance in patients suffering from renal failure mean?

Answer 5

That not all creatine is excreted in the urine and the levels of creatine being produced falls

Question 6

• When will urea and creatinine levels start to rise?

Answer 6

When 2/3 function of the kidneys has been lost

Question 7

• What can be used to assess renal tubule function?

Answer 7

Electrolyte clearance, acid-base balance, urinalysis

Question 8

• What happens to fractional clearance during tubular disease?

Answer 8

Rises – losing more electrolytes

Question 9

• How does specific gravity help to decipher between pre-renal and renal failure?

Answer 9

Pre-renal failure – high SG, renal failure – fixed SG

Question 10

• What haematological signs will you see in chronic renal failure?

Answer 10

Erythropoietin deficiency, non-regenerative anaemia, inflammation