renal system Flashcards
Frequency
Excessive need to urinate as often as every 1-2 hours during
the day and night
Urgency
Sudden and very strong desire
Hesitancy
Delay, difficulty in initiating voiding, it is a delay in the start
of urination to at least a 10 second.
Incontinence
Involuntary loss of urine
Urinary
retention
inability to effectively empty the bladder /
incomplete bladder emptying
Nocturia
Excessive urination at night
Nocturnal
Enuresis:
Involuntary voiding during sleep / bedwetting.
Dysuria
Painful or difficult voiding
Polyuria
Is the excessive secretion of urine, which is generally
more than 2500 ml-4000 ml in a 24 hours period
Oliguria
It refers to urine output that is between 100-500 ml in a
24 hrs. period
What is a common symptom of acute pyelonephritis?
Fever is a systemic symptom of the more serious kidney infection, pyelonephritis
What type of imaging test uses contrast dye to visualize the renal system?
IVP (Intravenous Pyelogram) uses contrast dye injected into the bloodstream to visualize the renal system through X-ray imaging.
How do the ureters contribute to the urinary system?
The ureters are tubes that transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder
What dietary modification can help prevent calcium-based kidney stones?
Limit oxalate-rich foods
Explain the pathophysiology of glomerulonephritis and its clinical manifestations.
Glomerulonephritis involves inflammation of kidney glomeruli, often due to immune responses. This leads to:
Hematuria (blood in urine)
Proteinuria (protein in urine)
Decreased GFR (glomerular filtration rate)
Clinical signs: Edema, hypertension, and electrolyte imbalances.
What are the risk factors associated with urinary tract infections?
Risk factors for urinary tract infections (UTIs) include:
Female gender (short urethra)
Postmenopausal women
Elderly individuals
Diabetes mellitus
Indwelling catheters
Urinary obstructions (e.g., stones, enlarged prostate)
Discuss the management strategies for patients with renal calculi.
Management strategies for renal calculi include:
Increase fluid intake (3-4L/day)
Pain relief with analgesics
Dietary modifications based on stone type
Encourage ambulation
Monitor for complications
Surgical options if needed (e.g., nephrolithotomy, lithotripsy)
Educate on prevention and follow-up care
What are the differences between lower and upper urinary tract infections?
Differences between lower and upper urinary tract infections:
Lower UTI: Affects bladder (cystitis), urethra
(urethritis), or prostate (prostatitis); symptoms include dysuria, frequency, urgency.
Upper UTI: Affects kidneys (pyelonephritis); symptoms may include fever, flank pain, and systemic illness.
What is the recommended fluid intake to help manage urinary calculi?
Insufficient fluid intake increases stone risk. 3-4 liters is needed to flush urinary tract. You may have rounded down.
Describe the structure and function of the kidneys in the urinary system.
The kidneys are bean-shaped organs with a cortex, medulla, and nephrons. Their functions include:
Filtering blood to form urine
Regulating electrolytes and water balance
Controlling blood pressure
Producing red blood cells (via erythropoietin)
Synthesizing vitamin D
How does dehydration contribute to the formation of kidney stones?
Dehydration contributes to kidney stones by:
Reducing urine volume
Increasing concentration of minerals and crystals
Promoting
supersaturation, leading to stone formation
Staying well-hydrated
helps prevent this process.
What is the most common type of stone found in urolithiasis?
Calcium-based stones (75% of cases)
What is the role of renin in blood pressure regulation?
Renin initiates the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). This system causes vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) and increased sodium and water retention
Explain the importance of urinalysis in assessing renal health.
Urinalysis is important for assessing renal health because it helps to:
Detect kidney diseases
Identify infections or abnormalities
Monitor kidney function
Evaluate metabolic disorders
It provides valuable information about the body’s waste management and overall kidney performance.
