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CN-P > Kidney Function Markers > Flashcards

Kidney Function Markers Flashcards

1
Q

What is BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)

A

BUN reflects the balance between protein breakdown and kidney function

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2
Q

What is low value BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)

A

Low BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) levels may indicate conditions such as malnutrition, liver disease, or over-hydration, as these can impair the liver’s ability to produce urea or affect kidney function, leading to reduced urea concentration in the blood

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3
Q

What is high value BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)

A

A high BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) level can indicate impaired kidney function, dehydration, or increased protein breakdown, as it reflects the accumulation of urea in the blood due to the kidneys’ reduced ability to filter and excrete waste products

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4
Q

What is Creatinine

A

Creatinine is a waste product produced by muscles from the breakdown of a compound called creatine

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5
Q

What is low value Creatinine

A

Low creatinine levels may indicate reduced muscle mass, malnutrition, or severe liver disease, potentially reflecting decreased muscle protein synthesis or impaired creatinine production, rather than directly indicating kidney dysfunction

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6
Q

What is high value Creatinine

A

High creatinine levels typically indicate impaired kidney function or kidney disease, as creatinine is a waste product filtered by the kidneys, and elevated levels suggest that the kidneys are not effectively removing it from the bloodstream

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7
Q

What is BUN/Creatinine Ratio

A

The BUN/Creatinine Ratio is a calculated ratio of the blood
urea nitrogen (BUN) level to the creatinine level. This ratio provides additional insights into
kidney function

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8
Q

What is low value BUN/Creatinine ratio

A

A low BUN/creatinine ratio may suggest conditions such as malnutrition, liver disease, or a marked increase in fluid intake, indicating a decrease in the production of urea relative to creatinine, which could impair the assessment of kidney function

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9
Q

What is high value BUN/Creatinine

A

A high BUN/creatinine ratio typically suggests possible dehydration,
gastrointestinal bleeding, or increased protein breakdown, as it indicates a
disproportionate elevation in blood urea nitrogen relative to creatinine, which can signal impaired kidney function or other underlying health issues

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10
Q

What is Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

A

GFR is a calculated estimate of the glomerular filtration rate,
representing the kidney’s ability to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. It is considered one of the most reliable indicators of overall kidney function

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11
Q

What is low value Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

A

A low Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) indicates reduced kidney function,
suggesting potential kidney disease or damage, as the kidneys are less efficient at filtering waste products from the blood, which can lead to symptoms such as fluid retention, electrolyte imbalances, and elevated levels of waste in the bloodstream

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12
Q

What is the high value Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

A

A high Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) level often indicates increased
kidney function or hyper-filtration, which can occur in conditions such as diabetes or early-stage kidney disease, and may require monitoring to prevent potential kidney damage over time

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13
Q

What is Albumin

A

Albumin is a protein produced by the liver and is an essential component of blood plasma. It plays a crucial role in maintaining oncotic pressure and transporting various substances in the blood

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14
Q

What is low value Albumin

A

Low albumin levels may indicate liver disease, kidney dysfunction, or
malnutrition, as albumin is a protein produced by the liver and is crucial for maintaining oncotic pressure and transporting various substances in the blood

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15
Q

What is high value Albumin

A

High albumin levels are often indicative of dehydration or excessive protein intake, as the concentration of albumin in the blood increases with reduced plasma volume, though it can also reflect chronic inflammation or certain rare conditions affecting protein metabolism

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16
Q

What is Albumin/Creatinine Ratio (ACR)

A

The ACR is a measure of the ratio of albumin (a protein) to creatinine in urine. It is used to assess kidney damage, especially in conditions like diabetes

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17
Q

What is low value Albumin/Creatinine Ratio (ACR)

A

A low Albumin/Creatinine Ratio (ACR) level generally suggests that there is
minimal to no significant proteinuria, indicating that the kidneys are likely functioning well and there is little to no excess protein in the urine, which is typically a sign of kidney health

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18
Q

What is high value Albumin/Creatinine Ratio (ACR)

A

A high Albumin/Creatinine Ratio (ACR) level indicates increased albumin
excretion in the urine, which can be a sign of kidney damage or dysfunction, often associated with conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or chronic kidney disease

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19
Q

What is Total Protein

A

Total Protein measures the overall concentration of proteins in
the blood, including albumin and globulins. Proteins play vital roles in immune function, blood
clotting, and maintaining fluid balance

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20
Q

What is low value Total Protein

A

A low level of total protein in the blood may indicate conditions such as liver
disease, kidney disease, malnutrition, or protein loss disorders, leading to decreased protein synthesis or increased protein loss, which can affect various bodily functions and
lead to symptoms like swelling and fatigue

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21
Q

What is high value Total Protein

A

High levels of total protein in the blood may indicate chronic inflammation,
infections, or conditions such as multiple myeloma or liver disease, where there is an overproduction of proteins or an imbalance between protein production and loss

22
Q

What is Total Globulin

A

Total Globulin measures the overall concentration of proteins in the blood that are not albumin. It includes various globulin proteins, such as antibodies and transport proteins

23
Q

What is low value Globulin

A

A low level of total globulin in the blood may indicate conditions such as liver disease, kidney disease, or malnutrition, as globulins are essential proteins involved in immune function and transporting substances, and reduced levels can impair the body’s
ability to respond to infections and maintain proper fluid balance

24
Q

What is high value Globulin

A

A high level of total globulin in the blood may indicate chronic inflammation, liver disease, immune system disorders, or chronic inflammation as elevated globulins
often reflect increased production of antibodies or other proteins in response to these conditions

25
Q

What is Albumin/Globulin Ratio

A

The Albumin/Globulin Ratio assesses the balance between albumin and globulin in the blood

26
Q

What is low value Albumin/Globulin Ratio

A

A low albumin/globulin ratio in the blood may indicate an imbalance between albumin and globulins, often associated with conditions such as liver disease, kidney disease, chronic inflammation, or certain types of cancer, reflecting potential disruptions
in protein production or increased loss of proteins

27
Q

What is high value Albumin/Globulin Ratio

A

A high albumin/globulin ratio in the blood may suggest conditions such as
chronic liver disease, where albumin levels are elevated relative to globulins, or a decrease in globulins due to factors like immune deficiencies or certain kidney disorders

28
Q

What is the significance of Electrolyte Levels (Sodium, Potassium, Chloride)

A

Electrolyte balance, including sodium, potassium, and chloride levels, is vital for kidney function. The kidneys play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of these electrolytes in the blood. Imbalances may indicate issues with
kidney regulation

29
Q

What is Sodium (Na+)

A

Sodium is a crucial electrolyte that plays a key role in maintaining fluid balance, transmitting nerve impulses, and supporting muscle contractions. It is tightly regulated by the kidneys to ensure proper concentration in the
blood. Kidneys help regulate sodium levels in the body

30
Q

What is low value Sodium

A

Low sodium levels in the blood, or hyponatremia, may indicate
conditions such as dehydration, kidney disorders, or excessive fluid retention,
leading to imbalances in electrolyte levels that can cause symptoms like headache, confusion, and muscle cramps.

31
Q

What is high value Sodium

A

High sodium levels in the blood, or hypernatremia, can indicate
dehydration, excessive salt intake, or conditions like kidney dysfunction, potentially leading to symptoms such as thirst, confusion, and in severe cases, neurological disturbances

32
Q

What is Potassium (K+)

A

Potassium is essential for proper muscle and nerve function, including maintaining heart rhythm. Kidneys play a vital role in balancing potassium levels in the body

33
Q

What is low value Potassium

A

Low potassium levels in the blood, or hypokalemia, can indicate
conditions such as excessive loss through vomiting, diarrhea, or diuretic use, potentially leading to muscle weakness, cramping, irregular heart rhythms, and other symptoms due to impaired cellular function and electrolyte imbalance

34
Q

What is high value Potassium

A

High potassium levels in the blood, known as hyperkalemia, can indicate
kidney dysfunction, excessive potassium intake, or certain medications, and may lead
to symptoms such as irregular heartbeats, muscle weakness, and potentially life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias

35
Q

What is Anion Gap

A

The Anion Gap is a calculated measurement that represents the difference between the concentrations of positively charged ions (cations, like sodium and potassium) and negatively charged ions (anions, like chloride and bicarbonate) in the blood. It provides insights into the presence of unmeasured ions and helps in diagnosing various metabolic disorders

36
Q

What is low value Anion Gap

A

A low anion gap in the blood can indicate conditions such as
hypoalbuminemia or the presence of unmeasured cations, which may affect the accuracy of the anion gap calculation and potentially suggest underlying metabolic or renal issues

37
Q

What is high value Anion Gap

A

A high anion gap in the blood often indicates the presence of
unmeasured anions, which can be due to conditions such as metabolic acidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis, or chronic kidney disease, suggesting an accumulation of acidic substances in the body

38
Q

What is Chloride (Cl-)

A

Chloride is an electrolyte that works alongside sodium to maintain fluid balance and osmotic pressure in and out of cells. It is essential for proper digestion and the production of stomach acid

39
Q

What is low value Chloride

A

Low chloride levels in the blood, or hypochloremia, can indicate
conditions such as metabolic alkalosis, prolonged vomiting, or adrenal gland
disorders, which disrupt electrolyte balance and may lead to symptoms like muscle weakness, fatigue, and respiratory issues

40
Q

What is high value Chloride

A

High chloride levels in the blood may indicate conditions such as
dehydration, kidney dysfunction, or an electrolyte imbalance, potentially leading to disruptions in acid-base balance and fluid regulation

41
Q

What is CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)

A

CO2, in the context of blood tests, typically refers to bicarbonate (HCO3-) levels. Bicarbonate is a key component in the body’s acid-base balance, helping to maintain proper pH levels. It is involved in neutralizing excess acids produced during metabolism. Kidneys play a role in regulating bicarbonate
levels. Imbalances can affect acid-base equilibrium

42
Q

What is low value CO2

A

Low carbon dioxide levels in the blood may indicate conditions such
as metabolic acidosis, where the body produces excess acid or loses too much bicarbonate, or respiratory disorders that lead to excessive loss of CO2 through hyperventilation, potentially disrupting the body’s acid-base balance

43
Q

What is high value CO2

A

High carbon dioxide levels in the blood, known as hypercapnia, may
indicate respiratory issues such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) or hypoventilation, leading to impaired gas exchange and potential acid- base imbalances

44
Q

What is Phophorus

A

Phosphorus is an essential mineral involved in various physiological processes, including bone health, energy production, and acid-base balance. Kidneys play a key role in regulating phosphorus levels in the blood

45
Q

What is low value Phosphorus

A

Low phosphorus levels in the blood may indicate conditions such as
malnutrition, chronic alcoholism, or certain medical disorders like
hyperparathyroidism or diabetic ketoacidosis, which can impair energy production, bone health, and overall cellular function

46
Q

What is high value Phosphorus

A

High phosphorus levels in the blood, or hyperphosphatemia, can
indicate underlying issues such as chronic kidney disease, excessive dietary intake, or problems with calcium metabolism, potentially leading to imbalances in calcium-
phosphorus levels and related complications like bone pain or weakened bones

47
Q

What is Uric Acid

A

Uric acid is a byproduct of the breakdown of purines, which are substances found in certain foods and cells. The kidneys help excrete uric acid

48
Q

What is low value Uric Acid

A

Low uric acid levels in the blood can suggest conditions such as
malnutrition, liver disease, or certain genetic disorders, and may also be
associated with a rare condition called Wilson’s disease, where copper
accumulates in the body, potentially leading to symptoms like fatigue and muscle weakness

49
Q

What is high value Uric Acid

A

High uric acid levels in the blood may indicate conditions such as
gout, kidney dysfunction, or increased cell turnover, potentially leading to the
formation of uric acid crystals in joints, causing pain and inflammation, or
contributing to kidney stones

50
Q

What is Cystatin C

A

Cystatin C is a protein produced by cells throughout the body. It is filtered by the kidneys, and its levels in the blood can serve as an alternative marker for estimating kidney function

51
Q

What is low value Cystatin C

A

Low cystatin C levels may indicate a decreased production of this
protein, potentially due to conditions such as thyroid dysfunction or muscle
wasting, but it is less commonly used as a primary marker compared to its role in assessing kidney function

52
Q

What is high value Cystatin C

A

High levels of Cystatin C can indicate impaired kidney function, as
this protein is a marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and its elevation may reflect conditions such as chronic kidney disease or acute kidney injury

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