Unit R- Renal Flashcards
Which diagnostic test allows visualization of the renal parenchyma and renal pelvis without exposure to external beam radiation or radioactive isotopes?
a. Renal ultrasound
b. Computed tomography
c. Intravenous pyelography
d. Voiding cystourethrography
ANS: A
The transmission of ultrasonic waves through the renal parenchyma allows visualization of the renal parenchyma and renal pelvis without exposure to external beam radiation or radioactive isotopes. Computed tomography uses external radiation, and sometimes contrast media are used. Intravenous pyelography uses contrast medium and external radiation for x-ray films. Contrast medium is injected into the bladder through the urethral opening for voiding cystourethrography. External radiation for x-ray films is used before, during, and after voiding.
Which diagnostic finding is present when a child has primary nephrotic syndrome?
a. Hyperalbuminemia
b. Positive ASO titer
c. Leukocytosis
d. Proteinuria
ANS: D
Large amounts of protein are lost through the urine as a result of an increased permeability of the glomerular basement membrane. Hypoalbuminemia is present because of loss of albumin through the defective glomerulus and the liver’s inability to synthesize proteins to balance the loss. ASO titer is negative in a child with primary nephrotic syndrome. Leukocytosis is not a diagnostic finding in primary nephrotic syndrome.
Which factor predisposes a child to urinary tract infections?
a. Increased fluid intake
b. Short urethra in young girls
c. Prostatic secretions in males
d. Frequent emptying of the bladder
ANS: B
The short urethra in females provides a ready pathway for invasions of organisms. Increased fluid intake and frequent bladder emptying offer protective measures against urinary tract infections. Prostatic secretions have antibacterial properties that inhibit bacteria.
What should the nurse recommend to prevent urinary tract infections in young girls?
a. Wearing cotton underpants
b. Limiting bathing as much as possible
c. Increasing fluids; decreasing salt intake
d. Cleansing the perineum with water after voiding
ANS: A
Cotton underpants are preferable to nylon underpants. No evidence exists that limiting bathing, increasing fluids, decreasing salt intake, or cleansing the perineum with water decreases urinary tract infections in young girls.
An objective of care for the child with nephrosis is what desired outcome?
a. Reduced blood pressure
b. Reduced excretion of urinary protein
c. Increased excretion of urinary protein
d. Increased ability of tissues to retain fluid
ANS: B
The objectives of therapy for the child with nephrosis include reduction of the excretion of urinary protein, reduction of fluid retention, prevention of infection, and minimizing of complications associated with therapy. Blood pressure is usually not elevated in nephrosis. Increased excretion of urinary protein and increased ability of tissues to retain fluid are part of the disease process and must be reversed.
What intervention is a component of the therapeutic management of nephrosis?
a. Corticosteroids
b. Antihypertensive agents
c. Long-term diuretics
d. Increased fluids to promote diuresis
ANS: A
Corticosteroids are the first line of therapy for nephrosis. Response is usually seen within 7 to 21 days. Antihypertensive agents and long-term diuretic therapy are usually not necessary. A diet that has fluid and salt restrictions may be indicated.
What is a common side effect of cNoUrtRicSoINstGerToBi.dCOthMerapy?
a. Fever
b. Hypertension
c. Weight loss
d. Increased appetite
ANS: D
Side effects of corticosteroid therapy include an increased appetite. Fever is not a side effect of therapy. It may be an indication of infection. Hypertension is not usually associated with initial corticosteroid therapy. Weight gain, not weight loss, is associated with corticosteroid therapy.
The nurse closely monitors the temperature of a child diagnosed with nephrosis. The purpose of this is to detect an early sign of what undesirable outcome?
a. Infection
b. Hypertension
c. Encephalopathy
d. Edema
ANS:A
Infection is a constant source of danger to edematous children and those receiving corticosteroid therapy. An increased temperature could be an indication of an infection, but it is not an indication of hypertension or edema. Encephalopathy is not a complication usually associated with nephrosis. The child will most likely have neurologic signs and symptoms.
The diet of a child with nephrosis usually includes requirement?
a. High protein
b. Salt restriction
c. Low fat
d. High carbohydrate
Salt is usually restricted (but not eliminated) during the edema phase. The child has very little appetite during the acute phase. Favorite foods are provided (with the exception of high-salt ones) in an attempt to provide nutritionally complete meals.
A child is admitted with acute glomerulonephritis. The nurse would expect the urinalysis during this acute phase to show:
a. bacteriuria and hematuria.
b. hematuria and proteinuria.
c. bacteriuria and increased specific gravity.
d. proteinuria and decreased specific gravity.
ANS: B
Urinalysis during the acute phase characteristically shows hematuria and proteinuria. Bacteriuria and changes in specific gravity are not usually present during the acute phase.
What is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for the child with acute glomerulonephritis?
a. Risk for Injury related to malignant process and treatment.
b. Deficient Fluid Volume related to excessive losses.
c. Excess Fluid Volume related to decreased plasma filtration.
d. Excess Fluid Volume related to fluid accumulation in tissues and third spaces.
ANS: C
Glomerulonephritis has a decreased filtration of plasma. The decrease in plasma filtration results in an excessive accumulation of water and sodium that expands plasma and interstitial fluid volumes, leading to circulatory congestion and edema. No malignant process is involved in acute glomerulonephritis. A fluid volume excess is found. The fluid accumulation is secondary to the decreased plasma filtration, not fluid accumulation.
What should the nurse include in a teaching plan for the parents of a child with vesicoureteral reflux?
a. The importance of taking prophylactic antibiotics
b. Suggestions for how to maintain fluid restrictions
c. The use of bubble baths as an incentive to increase bath time
d. The need for the child to hold urine for 6 to 8 hours
ANS: A
Prophylactic antibiotics are used to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in a child with vesicoureteral reflux, although this treatment plan has become controversial. Fluids are not restricted when a child has vesicoureteral reflux. In fact, fluid intake should be increased as a measure to prevent UTIs. Bubble baths should be avoided to prevent urethral irritation and possible UTI. To prevent UTIs, the child should be taught to void frequently and never resist the urge to urinate.
What is the most common cause of acute renal failure in children?
a. Pyelonephritis
b. Tubular destruction
c. Urinary tract obstruction
d. Severe dehydration
ANS: D
The most common cause of acute renal failure in children is dehydration or other causes of
poor perfusion that may respond to restoration of fluid volume. Pyelonephritis and tubular
destruction are not common causes of acute renal failure in children. Obstructive uropathy may cause acute renal failure, but it is not the most common cause.
The nurse, caring for a child with acute renal failure, should recognize event as a sign of hyperkalemia?
a. Dyspnea
b. Seizure
c. Oliguria
d. Cardiac arrhythmia
ANS: D
Hyperkalemia is the most common threat to the life of the child. Signs of hyperkalemia include electrocardiographic anomalies such as prolonged QRS complex, depressed ST segments, peaked T waves, bradycardia, or heart block. Dyspnea, seizure, and oliguria are not manifestations of hyperkalemia.
When a child diagnosed with chronic renal failure, the progressive deterioration produces a variety of clinical and biochemical disturbances that eventually are manifested in the clinical syndrome known as what?
a. Uremia
b. Oliguria
c. Proteinuria
d. Pyelonephritis
ANS: A
Uremia is the retention of nitrogenous products, producing toxic symptoms. Oliguria is diminished urine output. Proteinuria is the presence of protein, usually albumin, in the urine. Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the kidney and renal pelvis.
What major complication is noted in a child with chronic renal failure?
a. Hypokalemia
b. Metabolic alkalosis
c. Water and sodium retention
d. Excessive excretion of blood urea nitrogen
ANS: C
Chronic renal failure leads to water and sodium retention, which contributes to edema and vascular congestion. Hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis, and retention of blood urea nitrogen are complications of chronic renal failure.
Which clinical manifestation wouNldUbReSIsNeGenTBin.CaOcMhild with chronic renal failure?
a. Hypotension
b. Massive hematuria
c. Hypokalemia
d. Unpleasant “uremic” breath odor
ANS: D
Children with chronic renal failure have a characteristic breath odor resulting from the retention of waste products. Hypertension may be a complication of chronic renal failure. With chronic renal failure, little or no urine output occurs. Hyperkalemia is a concern in chronic renal failure.
One of the clinical manifestations of chronic renal failure is uremic frost. Which best describes this term?
a. Deposits of urea crystals in urine
b. Deposits of urea crystals on skin
c. Overexcretion of blood urea nitrogen
d. Inability of body to tolerate cold temperatures
ANS:B
Uremic frost is the deposition of urea crystals on the skin, not in the urine. The kidneys are unable to excrete blood urea nitrogen, leading to elevated levels. There is no relation between cold temperatures and uremic frost.
Calcium carbonate is given with meals to a child with chronic renal disease. The purpose of this is to achieve which desired result?
a. Prevent vomiting
b. Bind phosphorus
c. Stimulate appetite
d. Increase absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
ANS: B
Oral calcium carbonate preparations combine with phosphorus to decrease gastrointestinal absorption and the serum levels of phosphate; serum calcium levels are increased by the calcium carbonate, and vitamin D administration is necessary to increase calcium absorption. Calcium carbonate does not prevent vomiting, stimulate appetite, or increase the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
The diet of a child with chronic renal failure is usually characterized as:
a. high in protein.
b. low in vitamin D.
c. low in phosphorus.
d. supplemented with vitamins A, E, and K
ANS: C
Dietary phosphorus is controlled to prevent or control the calcium/phosphorus imbalance by the reduction of protein and milk intake. Protein should be limited in chronic renal failure to decrease intake of phosphorus. Vitamin D therapy is administered in chronic renal failure to increase calcium absorption. Supplementation with vitamins A, E, and K is not part of dietary management in chronic renal disease.
The nurse is caring for an adolescent who has just started dialysis. The child seems always angry, hostile, or depressed. What should the nurse contribute this behavior to?
a. Neurologic manifestations that occur with dialysis
b. Physiologic manifestations of renal disease
c. Adolescents having few coping mechanisms
d. Adolescents often resenting the control and enforced dependence imposed by
dialysis
ANS:D
Older children and adolescents need control. The necessity of dialysis forces the adolescent into a dependent relationship, which results in these behaviors. Neurologic manifestations that occur with dialysis and physiologic manifestations of renal disease are a function of the age of the child, not neurologic or physiologic manifestations of the dialysis. Adolescents do have coping mechanisms, but they need to have some control over their disease management.
What is an advantage of peritoneal dialysis?
a. Treatments are done in hospitals.
b. Protein loss is less extensive.
c. Dietary limitations are not necessary.
d. Parents and older children can perform treatments.
ANS: D
Peritoneal dialysis is the preferred form of dialysis for parents, infants, and children who wish to remain independent. Parents and older children can perform the treatments themselves. Treatments can be done at home. Protein loss is not significantly different. The dietary limitations are necessary, but they are not as stringent as those for hemodialysis.
Which statement is descriptive of renal transplantation in children?
a. It is an acceptable means of treatment after age 10 years.
b. It is preferred means of renal replacement therapy in children.
c. Children can receive kidneys only from other children.
d. The decision for transplantation is difficult since a relatively normal lifestyle is not
possible.
ANS: B
Renal transplantation offers the opportunity for a relatively normal lifestyle versus dependence on dialysis and is the preferred means of renal replacement therapy in end-stage renal disease. It can be done in children as young as age 6 months. Both children and adults can serve as donors for renal transplant purposes.
Which intervention is appropriate when examining a male infant for cryptorchidism?
a. Cooling the examiner’s hands
b. Taking a rectal temperature
c. Eliciting the cremasteric reflex
d. Warming the room
ANS:D
Cryptorchidism is the failure of one or both testes to descend normally through inguinal canal. For the infant’s comfort, the infant should be examined in a warm room with the examiner’s hands warmed. Testes can retract into the inguinal canal if the infant is upset or cold. Examining the infant with cold hands is uncomfortable for the infant and likely to cause the infant’s testes to retract into the inguinal canal. It may also cause the infant to be uncooperative during the examination. A rectal temperature yields no information about cryptorchidism. Testes can retract into the inguinal canal if the cremasteric reflex is elicited. This can lead to an incorrect diagnosis.