Session 1: The Renal Patient Flashcards
Symptoms of ESRD (End Stage Renal Disease).
Nausea Vomiting Fatigue Anorexia Weight loss Muscle cramps Pruritus Lower extremities uncomfortable and swollen Dry cough Shortness of breath
Signs of ESRD.
Tachypnea Tachycardia Elevated blood pressure Dry skin Petechiae Moist rales posterior lung bases S3 on cardiac exam Abdominal exam usually benign Pitting oedema in extremities Musculoskeletal pain
Reasons for fatigue in ESRD.
Anaemia due to EPO not being produced. Toxins not being excreted.
Reasons for anorexia in ESRD and weight loss.
Loss of appetite due to toxins not being excreted.
Reason for muscle cramps.
Loss of conversion of vitamin D to its active form calcitriol means that there can be a calcium imbalance leading to muscle cramps.
Reasons for pitting oedema/swollen lower extremities.
Water retention due to renal failure + congestive heart failure due to high BP.
Reasons for tachycardia in ESRD?
Anaemic
Reasons for elevated BP in ESRD?
Supposed to control blood pressure but doesn’t work properly because they can’t produce renin properly and can’t excrete electrolytes.
Stages of chronic kidney disease.
Stage I to IV. Stage V is ESRD.
Broad functions of the kidneys.
Homeostasis.
Controls volume, osmolarity and acid-base balance of plasma and extracellular fluid.
Controls electrolytes in blood and ECF.
Reabsorbs small molecules filtered by the nephron so we don’t waste metabolically expensive molecules such as amino acids and sugars.
Excretes nitrogenous waste.
Excretes other toxic metabolites.
Maintain RBC production by EPO.
Helps to maintain calcium-phosphorus balance.
Blood pressure.
