Week 3 - Renal Assessment Flashcards
Learning Objective 1
Review the A & P of renal system
Kidneys - Location
Either side of vertebral columns
Kidneys - Function
- Maintain composition and volume of body fluid
- 1 million nephrons in each kidney remove Urea
- Creatinine and Uric acid from blood plasma to form urine
- Kidneys remove waste including urine
- body fluids remain stable if kidneys are functioning well
Bladder
- 3 layers of smooth muscle
- middle layer forms an involuntary sphincter that guards the opening between the bladder & urethra
- reservoir for urine
- innervated by ANS
- bladder wall stretches until the nerves are stimulated = need to urinate
Urethra
- convey urine from bladder to exterior of body
- Male urethra functions in the excretory & reproductive functions. 13.7 - 16.2 cm long
- the female urethra is 3.7 - 6.2 cm long.
- no portion of female urethra is external to body
Learning Objective 2
Discuss component of a renal assessment
- key concepts
- health history
- physical examination
- Key concepts include
- primary assessment (DRSABCDE)
- secondary assessment
- Health history
- physical examination & vital signs assessment
- focused assessment
- Health History
▪ Biographical data
▪ history of chief complaint /presenting problem
▪ Associated Symptoms
– Haematuria
– Urgency to void
– Confusion
– Dysuria
– Abdominal (especially flank) pain
– incontinence/retention
– change in appearance / smell of urine
– hesitancy of urine flow/ change in stream volume
- Health History
▪ Radial prostatectomy or trans-urethral resection of the prostate
- endometrial tissue removal within the pelvis
- pelvic floor surgery and bladder sling scaffolding
▪ Lifestyle factors
- smoking (carcinogenic chemicals resting in bladder)
▪ Fluid intake
- type and amount of fluid is assessed
- ask about alcohol intake (diuretic)
- Physical Examination - Skin, hair, and nails
- look for a swallow complexion also known as uraemia tinge
- look for mees’ lines which indicate chronic renal failure
- Health History
- Urinary continence history (bladder diary)
- Bowel elimination pattern (especially constipation)
- Menstrual history (onset, regularity, and last period)
- Pregnancy (gravida and para history)
▪ Past medical history
– Renal/urinary problems (cancer, infections & prostate)
– Hypertension
– Diabetes Type 1 or 2 (damages the glomeruli)
– Trauma to the abdomen, back or the kidney
Infection
- Health History also includes
▪ Medications
- Non - steroidal anti inflammatory drugs
(Voltaren)
- Diuretics (Frusemide)
- Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (i.e perindopril)
- Antibiotics
- Physical Examination - Face and mouth
- look for oedema around the eyes
- smell for uraemic fetor from urea breakdown in saliva
- Physical Examination - The extremities
- scratch marks from uraemic pruritus
- look for arterio-venous fistula in the forearm
- look for oedema in the legs (or sacrum) from renal failure
- Physical Examination - Abdomen
- look for scars - nephrectomy and or transplant
- look for an enlarged abdomenascites or polycystic kidney disease.
- Physical Examination - Kidneys
- kidneys are usually not palpable unless enlarged.
- the right is lower that the left due to the liver
- Physical Examination - Bladder
- the bladder is usually a pelvic organ and is not palpable
- palpation is an upward motion from the pubic symphysis
- Physical Examination - Oedema
- pitting oedema occurs when excess fluid accumulates in the interstitial space
- pitting oedema is classified as
+1 = 2mm of pitting
+2 = 4mm of pitting
+3 = 6mm of pitting
+4 = 8mm of pitting
Physical Examination: Auscultation - renal arteries
- renal artery blood flow is best heard above the umbilicus
- position bell of stethoscope 2cm to the right and left
- presence of a bruit is abnormal in renal arteries
- a bruit indicates renal artery stenosis/narrowing
- commonly caused by atherosclerosis
Physical Examination: Auscultation - blood pressure
- up to 75% of patients with kidney disease will have hypertension
- hypertension decreases renal blood flow and exacerbates kidney disease.
Physical Examination: Percussion - Bladder
- Assessment of bladder distension (enlargement)
- start at symphysis pubis moving upwards to the umbilicus
- a urine filled bladder produces a dull sound
- tympany indicates the border of the bladder
- document as “bladder is _ cm below umbilicus.”
Learning Objective 3
Discuss common renal diagnostic tests and investigations
fluid balance chart
- essential for anyone receiving intravenous fluids
- commonly used for patients with renal/cardiac failure
- requires accurate measurement of input/output
Voiding chart
- aka bladder chart or diary
- records voiding patterns, volume, incontinence, pain and associated symptoms
- intake of fluids may also be included on the chart
0.5mL/kg/hr. or 30-
40mL/hr. normal output
Urine colour and discolourations
Blue
- medication side effect : amitriptyline
- foods : asparagus
- Dye after prostate surgery
Urine colour and discolourations
Dark Grey
- Urine contains melanin, melaninuria