Renal Pathophysiology

Question 1

What labs do we use to assess kidney function?

Answer 1

GFR
BUN (Blood urea nitrogen)
Creatinine
Urinalysis/culture

Question 2

If they kidneys do not function as normal, how would the patient look?

Answer 2

Pale
Nauseous
Lethargic
Odematous (fluid overload and pitting odema in lower extremities) specifically peripheral
Hypertensive
SOB

Question 3

What labs are most indicative of kidney issues?

Answer 3

Abnormally high EGFR
Creatinine
Urinalysis

Question 4

What causes glomerulonephritis (inflammation of/ damage to glomerulus) ?

Answer 4

Primary glomerular injury: altered immune response, toxins, infection, vascular disorders
Secondary glomerular injury: result of another systemic disease, i.e. DM, lupus, HF, HIV

Question 5

What causes pyelonephritis?

Answer 5

Bacteria that arises from the lower urinary tract (bladder) and invades the renal parenchyma.

Question 6

What are the common causes of urinary tract obstruction?

Answer 6

Stenosis in ureters or kidney calculi can cause hydronephrosis in one or both kidneys.

Question 7

How does diabetes affect the kidneys?

Answer 7

Diabetes cases damage to the microvasculature in the kidneys especially if their blood glucose is not well managed and also hypertension in diabetics accelerate this condition. (diabetes nephropathy)

Question 8

What are the differences between acute renal failure and chronic kidney disease

Answer 8

ARF: Is acute and is usually a result of another acute pathology or trauma and can lead to chronic kidney issues but are often resolved alongside acute kidney injury.
CKD: Is a long term chronic disease that develops over a long period of time and has stages (CKD 1,2,3 etc.)