Glomerulonephritis

Question 1

What is Glomerulonephritis

Answer 1

Autoimmune Inflammation of the glomeruli
Affects both kidneys equally
Third leading cause of ESRD in US
Acute and Chronic

Question 2

Causes of Glomerulonephritis

Answer 2

Infections
Immune diseases
Diabetic nephropathy
HTN
Illicit drug use

Question 3

Acute Glomerulonephritis

Answer 3

Symptoms come on suddenly

May be temporary or reversible-Usually after strep throat

Example: poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis

Question 4

Chronic Glomerulonephritis

Answer 4

Slow progression

leading to irreversible kidney failure

Question 5

Diagnostics

Answer 5

Complete history and physical
Urinalysis
24 hour urine collection
BUN and Creatinine
Renal biopsy

Antistreptolysin-O titers
C3 & C4 complement levels lower if active Lupus infection
Cryoglobulins (immunoglobulin G [IgG])-autoimmune D/O
Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), and circulating immune complexes

Question 6

Clinical Manifestations

Answer 6

Edema
SOB, crackles, neck vein distension
HTN
Oliguria
Hematuria…smoky or rusty appearance
Proteinuria
Abdominal or flank pain
Decreased GFR

Question 7

Nursing management

Answer 7

Managing infection
Preventing complications
Preparing for self-management
Plasmapheresis- filter out the plasma from the antibodies
Short term dialysis : Acute
Long term dialysis : chronic (same management as Chronic kidney disease)