Kidney & Urinary Tract Function Flashcards
How many times per hour does total blood supply circulate through the kidneys?
12 times per hour
how many liters of blood does the kidney receive per minute?
1.2-1.3 L
what percent of Cardiac output goes the kidney pump?
25%
what 3 parts is the kidney divided into? briefly describe if necessary
- cortex
- medulla (middle)
- pelvis (inner part; threads down the urine into the ureters)
function of the afferent arteriole
supplies glomerulus w blood
function of the efferent arteriole
drains blood from the glomerulus
describe the nephron & its function
“the mall” of the kidney; fine tuning of where urine is created; functional unit of the kidney
about how many nephrons is each kidney composed of?
1 million
list & describe the roles of the 2 different types of nephrons
- Cortical (80%-85%): excretory & regulatory
- Juxtamedullary (15%-20%): concentration & dilution
glomerulus
- what is it & where is it located?
- function
- specialized capillary loops at the beginning of the nephron
- site of filtration; first process in urine formation
what is the rate of blood flow determined by?
BP
explain the meaning of glomerurular filtration rate (GFR)
how fast the kidney is filtering (volume of plasma filtered from the glomerular capillaries into the Bowman’s capsule each minute)
what is a normal GFR? what percentage of it is cardiac output?
125 ml/min; 20%-25% is CO
where is the site of reabsorption in the kidney?
Proximal convoluted tubule
where is the site of loop diuretic action in the kidney?
ascending Loop of Henle
where is the site of thiazide diuretic action in the kidney?
distal convoluted tubule & collecting duct
list 7 functions of the kidneys
“A WET BED”
A: acid-base balance
W: water balance
E: electrolyte balance
T: toxin removal
B: blood pressure control
E: erythropoietin
D: vitamin D metabolism
what is the function of the RAAS? which drugs work here?
regulates blood flow to the kidneys, BP, & GFR
ACE & ARB drugs work here!
list the 3 aldosterone functions & what this leads to
holds onto sodium, H2O follows sodium, releases K+ = increasing blood volume
list the 3 parts of the tubules
- proximal convoluted tubule
- ascending loop of Henle
- Distal convoluted tubule & collecting duct
what is the max capacity the bladder can hold? what is the acceptable amount of post void residual?
400-500 mL
<100 ml = acceptable post void residual
how many cm long are both female & male urethras?
females: 3-5 cm
males: 20 cm
when does a decline in kidney function typically begin?
35-40 years of age
list 5 age related changes in the kidneys
- glomerular sclerosis
- decreased blood flow
- decreased GFR
- altered tubular function
- acid-base imbalance
list 4 things a patient could be at risk for if they have age related changes in their kidneys
- adverse drug effects
- hypernatremia
- fluid volume imbalances
- urinary tract infections
urinalysis (UA) / urine culture (C & S)
urine in cup
BUN
- normal range
- what does it measure?
normal range: 10-20
measures the nitrogen in blood
creatinine
- normal range
- what does it measure?
normal range: 0.7-1.4
best indicator of how the kidneys are functioning (clearing waste products)
GFR
- normal range?
- what does it measure?
normal range: 125 ml / min
best indicator of how kidneys are filtering!
24 hour creatinine clearance
- what does it compare?
- what must a nurse have from the patient?
compares how much creatinine is in your blood w how much is in the urine
nurse must collect urine for 24 hrs
what does HGB & HCT help to diagnose R/T kidneys?
kidney function
which part of the kidneys are electrolytes cleared by?
tubules
what is the normal range for specific gravity?
1.005-1.025
what does protein in the urine indicate?
damage to the glomerulus
what does glucose in the urine indicate?
blood sugars are crazy high
what do ketones in the urine indicate?
could be a sign of diabetic kedoacidosis; body begins to tear itself down to give nourishment
what do RBCs in the urine indicate?
indicates if there is a UTI
what do WBCs & bacteria in the urine indicate?
indication of infection
what does leukocyte esterase show?
shows inflammation in the urinary tract
what does a renal angiography diagnostic test show?
indicates a blood clot; tells how much blood flow is getting to the kidneys
list 2 pre test interventions for a renal angiography
- kidney function
- hydration to encourage excretion
post test interventions for a renal angiography
monitor for bleeding
list 3 complications from a renal angiography
- hematoma
- damage to kidneys from dye
- blood clots
what should a patient be educated on after getting a renal angiography?
if still bleeding after 3 days, call MD!
what is a renal biopsy? what does it help diagnose? what is a patient usually given w this?
needle is stuck through back into the kidney; helps diagnose cancer or kidney failure; patient usually given a local anesthetic
what is a pre test nursing intervention for a renal biopsy?
look at clotting times; be sure patient is not at high risk for bleeding
list 5 post procedure interventions for a renal biopsy
- bleeding
- monitor BP & HR
- make sure patient is urinating properly
- if there is still blood in urine after 96 hours, call MD!
- adequate fluid intake
what should a patient be educated on after getting a renal biopsy?
if still bleeding after day 3, call MD!
what is a cystoscopy? how can this be helpful?
scope is threaded up urethra to view both urethra & bladder; can sample stones or a part of the kidney
what is a pre nursing intervention before a cystoscopy?
UA must be done before to be sure urine is clean
what is a post nursing intervention after a cytoscopy?
monitor for urinary retention
list 2 complications after a cytoscopy
- burning & painful urination
- blood tinged urine
what is an intravenous pyelography (IVP)?
tells the shape & size of kidneys; xray but w dye to see things better
what are 2 pre nursing interventions for an intravenous pyelography?
make sure they have an IV & that the patient is hydrated
what is a post procedure nursing intervention for an intravenous pyelography?
adequate fluid hydration to flush dye out
what 2 things should we educate the patient on after an intravenous pyelography is done?
- adequate fluid hydration
- call doc if bleeding 3 days or after
what can an ultrasound show?
shows shape of kidney & can reveal a mass or tumor
what is a KUB?
(Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder): like x-ray w out dye
what is an AKI?
acute kidney injury; sudden onset / reversible
list 4 causes of AKI
prerenal (before kidneys due to low blood volume), intrarenal (inside of the kidneys due to infection or short term damage because of dye), post-renal (after the kidneys), & nephrotoxins
list 2 s/sx of AKI
increase in BUN & creatinine, decrease in GFR
what is the goal for a patient who has AKI? list 4 interventions
keep patient alive until renal lesion heals! give pt fluids, short term hemodialysis, look at meds (avoid nephrotoxic ones), & watch electrolytes
what is CKD?
chronic kidney disorder (kidney damage or decrease in GFR > 3 months) ; slow progression / irreversible!
list 2 causes of CKD
diabetes & HTN (from repetition of pounding on glomerulus)
- most causes are unknown
what is the goal for a patient w CKD?
slow or prevent progression of failure w dialysis or transplant
list 6 risk factors for developing CKD
diabetes (primary cause), HTN (second leading cause), glomerulonephritis / pyelonephritis, polycystic kidney, heredity / congenital, renal cancers
list 6 s/sx of CKD
elevated serum creatinine & BUN, electrolyte abnormalities, anemia, metabolic acidosis, fluid retention, HF
list 4 interventions for CKD
renal diet, control HTN, control glucose levels, assess medications