Kidney in Health and Disease

Question 1

What is the functional unit of the kidney?

Answer 1

Nephron

Question 2

What are the normal function of the kidney?

Answer 2

Salt and water homeostasis
Excretion
Selective barrier
Humoral regulation (vitamin D)
Barrier function

Question 3

How to diagnose and test kidney function?

Answer 3

eGFR (calculated using creatinine)
Imagine - CT, ultrasound
Blood test, urine test
Kidney biopsy

Question 4

Name 3 complications of kidney failure and explain?

Answer 4

1. Blood pressure
2. Anaemia - GFR drop so does hameoglobin
3. Bones - vitamin D made in kidney - if kidney fails less Ca

Question 5

What marker is less reliable in the elderly?

Answer 5

Creatinine

Question 6

What would you see in nephrOtic syndrome?

Answer 6

Peripheral oedema

Heavy proteinuria and low albumin

Question 7

Tx mild/ moderate kidney disease?

Answer 7

Diet/ fluid balance

Drugs - anaemia/ hypertension

Question 8

Tx severe kidney disease?

Answer 8

Dialysis

Transplant

Question 9

Name 2 types of dialysis

Answer 9

1. Peritoneal - less effective but can be done at home - pump fluid into space inside abdomen
2. Haemodialysis - remove waste and excess fluid from blood - need AV fistula

Question 10

Complications in end stage renal failure?

Answer 10

Hypertension, K-related arrhythmia, cardiac valvular calcification
Infectious, malnutrition