Nephrology Flashcards
What two things increase urinary protein excretion?
standing and physical activity
Urine dipstick for protein detects what specifically?
it only measures albumin
What is considered microalbuminuria?
30-300mg protein/day
What is a normal number of RBCs in urine?
less than 5/hpf
Dysmorphic RBCs found on UA are suggestive of what?
glomerulonephritis
What do each the following types of casts suggest:
- RBC
- WBC
- Eosinophil
- Hyaline
- Muddy Brown/Granular
- RBC: glomerulonephritis
- WBC: pyelonephritis
- Eosinophil: acute interstitial nephritis
- Hyaline: dehydration (concentration of normal Tamm-Horsfall protein)
- Muddy Brown/Granular: acute tubular necrosis
Describe the etiology, presentation, and treatment of pre-renal azotemia.
- due to anything that reduces renal perfusion: hypovolemia, hypotension, renal artery stenosis, NSAID-induced afferent constriction, ACEi efferent vasodilation
- presents with a rise in BUN/Cr greater than 20, UNa less than 20, FENa less than 1%, and UOsm > 500 since tubular function remains in tact
- treat with volume resuscitation and avoidance of nephrotoxic agents
Describe the etiology, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of post-renal azotemia..
- due to anything that obstructs both kidneys: BPH, prostate adenocarcinoma, urethral stone, urethral stricture, neurogenic bladder
- presents with enlargement of the bladder or massive diuresis after placement of a Foley
- presents with a rise in BUN/Cr greater than 20, UNa less than 20, FENa less than 1%, and UOsm > 500 since tubular function remains in tact
- best initial test is a renal ultrasound looking for hydronephrosis
- treat by removing the obstruction
Describe the etiologies, presentation, and treatment of acute tubular necrosis.
- due to ischemia or nephrotoxicity which damage the tubules: aminoglycosides, amphotericin, cisplatin, heavy metals, myoglobinuria as in crush injury, ethylene glycol and other crystals, radio contrast dye, or urate from tumor lysis syndrome
- injury results in necrosis of tubular epithelial cells, which form brown, granular casts and diminish GFR
- tubular dysfunction leads to elevated BUN and Cr, though the BUN/Cr is < 20, FENa > 1%, and UOsm < 300
- clinical features include oliguria as well as hyperkalemia and acidosis due to the inability to secrete these cations
- treatment is supportive with fluids and correction of electrolyte abnormalities; may require dialysis
If a patient has an AKI of unclear etiology, what is the best next step?
- always get a UA first
- supplement with UNa, FENa, and UOsm
How should you interpret the specific gravity of urine?
it correlates with the UOsm:
- 1.010 = UOsm of 100
- 1.030 = UOsm of 300
- 1.050 = UOsm of 500
Describe the pathophysiology, presentation, and prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy.
- nephrotoxicity is caused by spasm of the afferent arteriole, which induces ATN
- it presents with a very a rapid onset of injury and, oddly, urinary lab values consistent with a pre-renal azotemia (UNa < 20, FENa < 1%, UOsm > 300)
- prevent with aggressive hydration prior to administration of contrast material
How does tumor lysis syndrome affect the kidneys? Describe the mechanism and prevention.
- rapid lysis of tumor cells following chemotherapy may release lots of urate, which is particularly nephrotoxic
- the result is often intra-renal azotemia (acute renal failure)
- to prevent this, hydration and allopurinol are used prior to initiating chemotherapy
What do the following suggest in the setting of acute tubular necrosis:
- rapid onset of injury
- 5-10 day incubation period
- hypocalcemia
- rapid onset of injury: contrast-mediated
- 5-10 day incubation period: more likely due to ahminoglycosides, amphotericin, cyclosporine, cisplatin, acyclovir, or vancomycin
- hypocalcemia: likely ethylene glycol poisoning
Describe the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of rhabdomyolysis.
- presents with an elevated CPK, hyperkalemia, hyperuricemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and acute tubular necrosis
- diagnosis is based off a positive urine dipstick for blood but no RBCs present on UA
- treat with saline and mannitol, get an ECG and monitor treat symptomatic electrolyte abnormalities
What are the indications for dialysis?
A: acidosis < 7.1 E: electrolyte disturbances that are refractory I: intoxications O: overload of fluid U: uremic pericarditis or encephalitis
Describe the definition, etiology, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of acute interstitial nephritis.
- it is an idiosyncratic drug reaction causing intra-renal AKI
- due to the 6 P’s: pee (diuretics and other sulfa drugs), pain free (NSAIDs), penicillins, PPIs, phenytoin, and rifamPin
- presents with fever, rash, oliguria, and eosinophiluria
- the best initial test is a UA showing BUN/Cr < 20 plus WBCs and RBCs in the urine
- most accurate is Hansel or Wright stain for eosinophils
- treat by removing the offending agent; try steroids if the creatinine continues to rise
Which drugs cause allergenic responses and how do these manifest?
- due to the 6 P’s: pee (diuretics and other sulfa drugs), pain free (NSAIDs), penicillins, PPIs, phenytoin, and rifamPin
- manifest as drug allergy, SJS, TEN, hemolysis, and acute interstitial nephritis
Describe the pathophysiology of analgesic nephropathy.
- prostaglandins promote dilation of the afferent arteriole
- chronic NSAID use reduces the availability of these and thus promotes constriction of the afferent arteriole
- this decreases renal perfusion and promotes nephropathy in the form of ATN, AIN, papillary necrosis, or membraneous glomerulonephritis
Describe the etiology, presentation, and diagnosis of papillary necrosis.
- due to sickle cell disease, diabetes, pyelonephritis, and NSAID use
- presents with acute onset of fever, flank pain, hematuria
- UA will show RBCs, WBCs, and necrotic kidney tissue; the most accurate test is a CT showing a bumpy counter of the renal interior where papillae were lost
What are the features of nephritic syndrome?
- proteinuria is limited (< 3.5 g/day)
- oliguria and azotemia
- salt retention with periorbital edema and hypertension
- RBC casts and dysmorphic RBCs
Which glomerular disease are characterized by low complement levels?
SLE, endocarditis, cryoglobulinemia, and post-streptococcal glomerular disease
Describe the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of goodpasture disease.
- also known as anti-GBM disease, it is due to antibodies against the basement membrane of alveoli and glomeruli
- presents with hemoptysis followed by hematuria
- the best initial test is for anti-GBM antibodies and the most accurate is kidney biopsy showing a linear pattern of IgG and C3 deposition
- treat with plasmapheresis and steroids
Describe the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of IgA nephropathy.
- the most common nephropathy worldwide
- presents with recurrent hematuria 1-2 days after a URI
- IgA levels may be elevated but the most accurate test is kidney biopsy
- the level of proteinuria is the best prognostic factor so treat with ACEi and steroids
Describe the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of post-infectious glomerulonephritis.
- presents as a nephritic syndrome arising 1-3 weeks after group A beta-hemolytic strep infection
- diagnosis is with ASO and anti-DNase antibody titers
- treat with antibiotics and diuretics to control fluid overload
Describe the pathophysiology and presentation of Alport syndrome.
- an X-linked dominant type IV collagen defect
- results in thinning and splitting of the glomerular basement membrane
- presents with hematuria, sensory hearing loss, and ocular disturbances
What are the features of nephrotic syndrome?
- proteinuria > 3.5g per day
- hypoalbuminemia
- hypogammaglobulinemia
- hypercoagulability
- hyperlipidemia
- edema
How are nephrotic syndromes treated?
- steroid with steroids then try cyclophosphamide
- add ACEi or ARBs to control the proteinuria
- treat edema with salt restriction and diuretics
- treat hyperlipidemia with statins
Describe the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.
- nonenzymptic glycosylation of the vascular basement membrane results in hyaline arteriolosclerosis, reducing lumen diameter
- efferent arteriole more affected than afferent, increasing the GFR, and this hyperfiltration injury leads to microalbuminuria
What are the main manifestations of ESRD?
- anemia due to loss of EPO
- hypocalcemia, hyperphosphatemia, hyperparathyroidism, and renal osteodystrophy
- hypermagnesemia
- platelet dysfunction
- neutrophil dysfunction and infection
- hypertension and accelerated atherosclerosis
- pericarditis
- encephalitis
- volume overload