Electrolyte and acid/base balance

Question 1

Why is acid-base balance of the blood maintained during filtration?

Answer 1

The kidneys ability to reabsorbed bicarbonate and excrete excess hydrogen ions and generate new bicarbonate

-Crucial for maintaining pH

Question 2

Why is insulin a useful chemical to measure?

Answer 2

It’s freely filtered, non secreted, non reabsorbed substance in the kidneys

• Accurate and reliable method for determining glomerular filtration rate

Question 3

Why is PAH a useful chemical to measure?

Answer 3

They are persistent organic pollutants

-Often produced by incomplete combustion

-Many known to be carcinogenic, mutagens, teratogens

Question 4

How does increase in H+ affect K+?

Answer 4

An increase in H+(acidosis) leads to a shift of potassium out of cells into the extra cellular fluid, potentially causing hyperkalemia

Question 5

How are K+ regulated by nephron

Answer 5

Regulates through filtration,reabsorption in the proximal tubule and loop of henle, secretion in distal nephron segments primarily driven by aldosterone and sodium reabsorption

Question 6

How is osmolality (concentration) of the blood altered in the nephron?

Answer 6

Primarily by regulating water reabsorption, influenced by hormones like ADH

Affects water permeability in collecting ducts, determining urine concentration and blood osmolality

Question 7

What is the anion gap and what does it tell us about acid Base balance abnormalities?

Answer 7

-A calculation that assess the balance between positively and negatively charged electrolytes in blood

-Anion gap in sum is subtracted of chloride and bicarbonate from sodium levels in blood

-Indicates if blood is too acidic or too basic

Question 8

Why is GFR, [urea] and [creatinine] important measures of Kidney function in blood?

Answer 8

-Measures kidneys ability to filter waste products and maintain fluid and electrolyte balance

Question 9

What does a urinalysis (urine dip stick test) tell us about kidney function?

Answer 9

Detects presence and levels of certain substances in urine (protein, glucose, ketones and blood)

-Glucose is diabetes
-Protein is kidney damage
-Ketones is diabetes/kidneys
-Blood is kidney stones and infections
- Proper indicator of healthy functioning