Module 11: Urinary System Flashcards
Anatomy of the Urinary System
Kidneys => Ureters => Urinary bladder => Urethra
Physiology of the Urinary System
- Removes metabolic wastes, hormones and drugs from the body
- Regulates H20, electrolytes, acid-base balance
- Secrets erythropoietin (EPO - produces RBC in the kidneys)
- Regulates BP via RAAS
Nephrons
Functional units of the kidneys which main purpose is filtration
- Each nephron contains a glomerulus and tubule
- Glomerulus filters blood
- Tubules filter and reabsorb electrolytes
Formation of Urine
- Glomerular Filtration
- Re-absorption
- Secretion
- Waste and excess water are removed from the body
Anti-diuretic Hormone (ADH) Function
- Produced by the Posterior pituitary
- Controls re-absorption of H2O
Aldosterone
- Produced by the Adrenal cortex
- Controls Na and water re-absorption and excretes potassium
- Controlled by the RAAS (renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system) to regulate BP
Atrial Natriuretic Hormone (ANP)
Hormone produced in the heart to reduce Na and fluid re-absorption in the kidneys
- Main function is to lower BP
Diagnostic Tests for Disorders of the Urinary System
- Urinalysis
- Blood tests (BUN, GFR, Serum Creatinine)
- Culture and sensitivity
- Cystoscopy
- MRI
- CT
- IVP (intravenous pyelography)
- Biopsy
- Urodynamics
Hemodialysis
- Provided in a hospital, dialysis center or at home due to kidney failure
- Blood travels from the artery, through a machine where exchange of wastes, fluid and electrolytes occurs
- After the blood is returned back to the patients vein
- Required 3 times a week and lasts for 3-4 hours
- Helps control BP
Peritoneal Dialysis
- Can be done in a dialysis unit or at home
- May be done at night as patient sleeps
- A catheter is placed in the peritoneal cavity
- Dialyzing fluid is instilled through the catheter into the cavity where it remains allowing for the exchange of electrolytes and wastes to occur by osmosis and diffusion
- Fluid is drained from cavity by gravity
Urinary Tract Infection
- An infection of any part of the urinary system
- Women are most susceptible
Cause of Urinary Tract Infection
- Occurs when bacteria enters the urinary tract through the urethra
- Catheters carry a high risk
- Nonsocomial infections
Signs and Symptoms
- Urgency
- Delirium
- Burning pain when urinating
- Frequency
- Cloudy urine
- Pelvic pain in women
- Blood in the urine
- Confusion
Treatment of Urinary Tract Infection
- Antibacterial drugs
- Prevention
Pyelonephritis
- A type of UTI
- Infection extends from the ureters into one or both of the kidneys
Signs and Symptoms of Pyelonephritis
- Cystitis
- Dysuria
- Pain in lower back
- Frequency
- Urge
- Fever
Treatment of Pyelonephritis
- UTI’s are promptly treated with antibacterial drugs
- Encourage patient to increase fluid intake
Urolithiasis
- Kidney Stones
- Urinary tract obstruction
Cause of Pyelonephritis
Infection
Cause of Urolithiasis
- No single cause
- High levels of crystal-forming substances in urine due to high levels of uric acid
- Diabetes
- Previous gout episode
- Obesity
Signs and Symptoms of Urolithiasis
- Asymptomatic om kidney and bladder
- Flank pain
- Intense spasms of pain until stone passes
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Cool moist skin
- Rapid pulse
Treatment of Urolithiasis
- Small stones can be passed
- Fragmentation of larger stones
- Surgery
- Medications to dissolve stones
- Treatment/prevention of underlying cause ex) Diet changes
Renal Cell Carcinoma
-A primary tumor arising from the proximal convoluted tubule epithelium (more often in the renal cortex)
in early stage
-Often has metastasized to lungs, liver, bone by the time of diagnosis
Cause of Renal Cell Carcinoma
-No clear cause Risk factors include: -males -smokers -uncommon in anyone 45 years or younger
Signs and Symptoms of Renal Cell Carcinoma
- Often asymptomatic
- Hematuria
- Dull, aching flank pain
- Palpable mass
- Weight loss
- Anemia
Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma
Removal of the kidney as the tumor is often unresponsive to chemo and radiation
Bladder Cancer
- Often develops as multiple tumors and tends to reoccur
- Often begins in the cells that line the bladder
Signs and Symptoms of Bladder Cancer
- Dysuria
- Frequency
- Infections
- Pelvic pain
- Hematuria
Causes of Bladder Cancer
- Smoking
- Exposure to chemicals
- Exposure to radiation
- Parasitic infections
Treatment of Bladder Cancer
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
- Reconstruction
Acute Renal Failure
- Failure of the kidneys to function
- Develops suddenly (less than a few days)
Cause of Acute Renal Failure
- Reduced blood flow
- Necrosis of tubules
- Reduced Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
- Kidney damage
Signs and Symptoms of Acute Renal Failure
- Decreased urine output
- Urinary retention
- SOB
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Confusion
Treatment of Acute Renal Failure
- Treat underlying cause and reverse primary problem
- Medications
- Dialysis
Chronic Renal Failure
-Gradual irreversible destruction of the kidneys over a long period of time
Cause of Chronic Renal Failure
- May result from chronic kidney disease
- Systemic disorders
- Long-term exposure to nephrotoxins
Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Renal Failure
- Polyuria
- Anorexia
- Nausea
- Anemia
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Oliguria
- CHF
- Impotence
Treatment of Chronic Renal Failure
- Medications
- Is difficult to maintain as it affects all body systems
