Renal and Urinary Assessment Flashcards
The function of the Kidney and Urinary System?
Regulates fluid and electrolytes, removing wastes and providing hormones involved in red blood cell production, bone metabolism, and control of blood pressure
Structures of the Kidney and Urinary Systems
Structures
Kidneys
Ureters
Bladder
Urethra (Verra) The passage out.
Renal Anatomy :
The main ones are the:
- Each kidney is held by facia.
- They are held by fascia.
- They are quite vulnerable, not protected by the rib cage.
Nephrons
Renal vein and renal artery:
- The flow rate the kidneys receive is about 1200 ml a min (it’s a lot)
Kidneys, Ureters, and Bladder anatomy picture:
Internal Structure of the Kidney picture:
Structure Nephron:
We have about of a million of them in each kidney.
-80% of them are known as cortical nephrons fount on the most outside part of the
kidney. They are really short.
- The dialysis machine is very similar in structure to a nephron
Functions of the Nephron:
- Functional unit of the kidney
- 1-2 million in each kidney
- Glomerulus within Bowman’s capsule
———— Afferent arteriole caries blood to the glomerulus
———— Efferent tubule caries blood from glomerulus - Proximal convoluted tubule
- Loop of Henle
- Distal convoluted tubule
- Collecting duct
- 1 in a 1000 people is born with only one kidney.
- If you only have one kidney you are more prone to kidney problems. So we follow them for a couple of years after a donation.
Renal VasculatureIt’s all about perfusion!
- Highly vascular organ: receives 20-25% of Cardiac output
- Intricate vascular system with capillaries that surround all parts of the nephron
- Afferent (arrive) & efferent (exit) at level of glomerulus
- Autoregulation-perfusion impaired outside of these pressures:
**SBP 180-80 mmHg
- If the BP is too high it can damage the kidneys and lead to kidney failure.
- When BP is too low the renal perfusion is low as well and we don’t perfuse the kidneys.
- We also look at the pt fluid volume status or their central venous pressure which is much more accurate in determining AKI
**MAP we want the mean arterial pressure to be above 65 and ideally between 75-85 mmHg (this insures that most or all organs are getting perfused well)
**Diastolic perfusion pressure (DPP, mean perfusion pressure (MPP) along with CVP are more accurate in preventing AKI.
**A decreased Diastolic perfusion Pressure was associated with AKI (Because it’s not getting oxygenated) while a decreased MAP was not. So MAP going down is less dangerous. (it’s not the hallmark)
As a conclusion the best way to find out about how the kidneys are working is checking the fluid volume status and the perfusion pressure.
Pre-renal problem.
Pre-renal problems refer to conditions that affect blood flow to the kidneys, leading to a decrease in renal perfusion and ultimately compromising kidney function. These conditions may include:
It means that the blood doesn’t make it to the kidneys. Low BP etc…
Normal renal function?
The kidney is NOT just a filter
Regulation, removal of toxins, hormonal functions
Functions of the Renal System
- Fluid balance (absorbs/reabsorbs water)
- BP control (renin)
- Acid/base [hydrogen (H+)] and bicarbonate (HCO3)
- Electrolyte balance (sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus)
- Removal of wastes (urea, metabolites, toxins(drugs for example ), uric acid: which can form stones and cause gout. (If you have too much Ca and uric acid you are high for kidney stones)
- Erythropoietin (promotes the formation of RBCs in the bone marrow)
- Vitamin D activation
- Production and release of bradykinin and prostaglandins
Check slide 11 and 12
Urine needs to be concentrated with toxins that we get rid of. If not we are going to be constantly peeing. As a matter of fact the first sign of AKI is the low concentration of the urine. This is means that water is not reabsorbed and this is why the urine is very diluted. It’s called the diuretic phase of AKI (first phase).
-Sometimes conditions such as diabetes, renal failure make the membrane of the nephron bigger which in turn lets escape RBC and proteins which in turn leads to anemia.
-When blood enters the capillaries of the glamorous, this filter is formed due to hydrostatic pressure. And this pressure forces particles like urea nitrogen, creatinine and glucose from the blood across that glomerular capsule.
- The amount of blood filtered by the glomeruli in 1min is called GFR (glomeural filtration rate). A normal GFR is 125 ml a min. About a 180L a day. which means that the amount of liquid that we reabsorb is huge because we filter 180L a day and we only pee out 1L to 2L a day.
- The afferent and efferent arterioles can constrict and regulate BP. The afferent a little bit more.
- A systolic under 70 means that there is no perfusion to the kidneys anymore and the GFR drops off very quickly.
- The reabsorption of the kidneys is selective. The way it works is that it depends of the permeability of the membrane. ADH (antidiuretic hormone aka vasopressin) and aldosterone control that permeability at the distal convoluted tubule.
-Bicarbonate is reabsorbed which depends on serum PH. This is why it’s important to keep the PH in normal range.
- Glucose can also be reabsorbed by the kidneys but it can only do so much and that’s why we say that there is a renal threshold. If there is a lot of glucose in the blood and the threshold has been reached the blood glucose in the body goes up. A lot of glucose all the time stresses the kidneys. The glucose has to be under 200 for the kidneys to be able to reabsorb it. If it can be reabsorbed the kidneys start crashing glucose into the urine.
Check slide 13 and print the angiotensin RAAS system
- Rennin in the kidneys is produced when the receptors in the kidneys detect that blood flow/blood volume is decreased. It’s also released when there is low Na levels in the renal blood.
Vitamine D, we get some of it from the sun but it needs to be activated. The activation process starts in the liver and then it goes to the kidneys where it is converted into its active form. The active form of vitamin D is required for Ca to reabsorbed in the GI tract. So if we have renal failure we actually get Ca replacement. Also remember that Ca has a reverse relation with phosphate when one goes up the other one goes down. so in renal impairment we limit phosphate intake. - prostaglandins are made in the kidney and they are pretty much everywhere in the body and they trigger vasodilatation. Ex if they are not getting perfused they release them. Prostaglandins can also reduce systemic BP. People with renal failure don’t produce enough prostaglandins which increase in turn BP.
Also when we talk about bradykinin increases the permeability of the capillary membrane in the kidneys. so that it lets certain solutes in.
Gerontologic Considerations
- Older adults susceptible to kidney injury because the renal structural and function themselves change:
*They lose nephron functionality. - Sclerosis of the glomerulus and renal vasculature (hardening and thickening) much more severe with people who have diabetes and HBP.
- Decreased blood flow. This is why older people need higher BP to maintain renal blood flow.
- Decreased GFR because the functional units don’t work as well.
- Altered tubal function and acid base balance
- Incomplete emptying of bladder, urinary retention, incontinence, urinary stasis, decreased nerve innervations which causes the problems above, sometines it’s a central nervous sytem problem related to dementia, stroke, Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men.
- Decreased drug clearance = Increased drug in the blood and drug interactions
What does chronic inflammation lead to in patients with Gerontologic. Considerations? 2.0
1- Impaired kidney repair
2- Endothelium disfunction
3- Oxidative stress: Oxidative stress is a state in which there is an imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the ability of the body to detoxify or repair the damage caused by these harmful molecules.
Gerontologic Considerations 3.0
- Race, socioeconomic status etc…
- Genetic factors
- Gender
- Angiotensin 2
- Atherosclerosis vascular dammage
Macroscopic changes in Gerontologic Considerations?
Decreased size: The kidneys can shrink in size as a person ages due to a reduction in the number of functioning nephrons.
Calcifications: Calcium deposits can accumulate in the kidneys as a person ages, which can lead to renal calculi (kidney stones) and other complications.
Renal masses: As people age, they may develop benign or malignant tumors in the kidneys, which can affect kidney function.
Renal cysts: Simple renal cysts are common in older adults and are usually benign. However, complex renal cysts may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition and require further evaluation.
Glomerular changes Gerontologic Considerations?
- Decrease in the number of glomeruli
- Glomerulosclerosis
- Glomerular Hypertrophy (Aging: As we age, the glomeruli in our kidneys may naturally enlarge as a result of wear and tear over time.
Hypertension: High blood pressure can cause the walls of the blood vessels to thicken and narrow, which can lead to increased pressure within the glomeruli and result in hypertrophy.)
- Podocytes alterations (Podocytes are specialized cells that are found in the glomeruli of the kidneys)
- Increased mesangial space (The mesangial cells are specialized cells that provide structural support for the glomerular tuft and regulate blood flow through the capillaries. )
Tubular changes Gerontologic Considerations?
- Decreased tubular length
- Tubular atrophy
- Interstitial fibrosis
- Increased diverticula (Diverticula in the kidneys are small pouches or sacs that form in the renal pelvis, which is the central collecting area of the kidney. They occur when weak spots in the intestinal wall allow the inner lining of the intestine to push through, creating small pockets or sacs that protrude outward.)
Vascular changes Gerontologic Considerations?
- Agiomerular circulation (a state in which blood flow to the glomeruli of the kidneys is reduced or compromised)
- Atherosclerosis
- Intimal/medial hypertrophy
- Increase in vessel turtuosity (bnormal twisting, bending, or curving of blood vessels.)
Endocrine changes (Gerontologic Considerations?)
- Decrease plasma Renin Angiotenesin and aldosterone
- Increased EPO”erythropoietin” (in the healthy elderly) coz the body goes crazy
- Decreased EPO response to anemia
- Decrease vitamin D activation
Other Gerontologic Considerations?
- Decreased fluid intake (old people lose sense of thirst a little bit)
- Decreased CO
HTN or higher SBP (130-150 mmHg) - Females
Cytocele (Cystocele, also known as a prolapsed bladder, is a condition in which the supportive tissue between a woman’s bladder and vaginal wall weakens, allowing the bladder to droop or bulge into the vagina. This can result in discomfort, urinary problems, and difficulty emptying the bladder fully.)
Urinary incontinence or leakage
Difficulty or discomfort during urination
Recurrent bladder infections
Pain during sexual intercourse
)
Estrogen protects & slows progression of CKD
- Males
BPH
Androgen deprivation slows progression of CKD
- Decreased bladder tone
Incontinence
Retention
Diagnostic Studies. We always start with the least invasive /quick and doesn’t involve any dye test and the cheapest.
Urinalysis and urine culture: These tests help to determine the presence of infection or other abnormalities in the urine.
Renal function tests: These include blood tests to measure creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and electrolyte levels, which can help determine kidney function.
Ultrasonography: This test uses sound waves to produce images of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. It is useful in detecting the presence of stones, tumors, or other abnormalities.
CT and MRI: These imaging tests can provide more detailed images of the urinary tract, allowing for the detection of smaller stones, tumors, or other abnormalities.
Nuclear scans: These tests involve the injection of a radioactive substance that is taken up by the kidneys and can help identify abnormalities in kidney function.
Endoscopic procedures: These involve the use of a scope to visualize the urinary tract and can be used to diagnose and treat various urinary tract disorders.
Biopsies: These involve the removal of a small tissue sample for examination under a microscope and are used to diagnose kidney disease or cancer.
IV urography: This test involves the injection of a contrast dye into a vein, which travels to the kidneys and urinary tract and can help identify abnormalities.
Retrograde pyelography: This involves the injection of a contrast dye into the urinary tract through a catheter and can help identify abnormalities in the ureters and kidneys.
Cystography: This test involves the injection of a contrast dye into the bladder and can help identify abnormalities in the bladder.
Renal angiography: This test involves the injection of a contrast dye into the blood vessels supplying the kidneys and can help identify abnormalities in the blood vess
Urinalysis?
Color
Clarity
Sediment sometimes you will see you mucus
Specific gravity 1.002-1.035
We want it to change throughout the day and not be fixed because that tells us that the kidneys are not working and can’t concentrate urine it can also mean that the pt is dehydrated.
We need pH 4.5-8.0 for acid base stability
Bacteria & leukocytes
Protein
Glucose
Ketones
Nitrites
Bilirubin/urobilinogen so the urine is gonna look a little greenish. Blue = dye
Toxins
We try to get the first void of the day because it’s the most concentrated and we have to get it tested within an hour and we don’t we have to refrigerate it.
We also look at osmolality it tells us more about the solute concentration which is more precise than specific gravity and it’s done in the lab.
We don’t want RBC in the urine that’s not normal. because there could be bleeding in the urinary system or there could be inflammation due to infection and we are rupturing little capillaries. WBC are not supposed to be there either.
We use chlorehexdine before we get a urine simple to clean the area. YOu can void stop to clean the urethra and then we get a sample.
Casts and bacteria are not normal either, urine is steril actually.