Intro to Renal Flashcards
how many nephrons are in each kidney
1 mil
what are the two functions o the kidney
homeostasis - maintenance of the internal environment of the body
hormone secretion - endocrine
how do the kidneys affect fluid and electrolyte balance
volume status - regulates the fluid balance ie urine
electrolyte levels such as sodium potassium urea ad creatinine
osmolarity (concentration of particles exerting an osmotic pressure) - glucose
how do the kidneys affect acid base balance
maintains an optimum pH for cellular function bicarbonate regeneration (proximal tubule) removal of fixed acid
what two small molecules are recovered by the kidneys
sugars and amino acids
what does loss of amino acids in urine indicate
disease of the proximal tubule
what kind of waste products are eliminated by the kidney
urea (from protein metabolism) and creatinine (from muscle) antibiotics digoxin opiates lithium
describe the kidneys role in red blood cell production
erythropoiesis
stimulated by hypoxia which is why patients with kidney disease develop anaemia
kidneys play an important role in calcium and phosphate balance, how do they do this
via secretion of activated form of vitamin D
increases absorption of calcium from the gut
what are the characteristics of chronic kidney disease
decreased activation of vitamin D
decreased calcium levels
secondary hyperparathyroidism
renal osteodystrophy
why do patients with kidney disease often have high blood pressure
responsible for renin secretion which converts angiotensinogen to angiotensin 1
what are the normal blood levels for these molecules Na K urea creatinine HCO3 Cl
133-146 mmol/L
- 5-5.3 mmol/L
- 5-7.5 mmol/L
64-104 micromol/L in males
60-93 micromol/L in females
22-29 mmol/L
95-108 mmol/L
what is the normal level of protein/creatinine ratio
less than 13
what is the normal albumin/creatinine ratio
less than 3
