Renal and Respiratory Med-Surg Review

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from Renal and Respiratory Med-Surg lecture notes.

BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)

A renal function laboratory value with a normal reference range of $8-20\,mg/dL$.

Serum Creatinine

A kidney function laboratory parameter with a normal reference value of $<1.2\,mg/dL$.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

A measure of kidney function with a normal baseline of $90\,mL/min$; a level of $<15\,mL/min$ signifies kidney failure.

Pyridium

A urinary tract medication that causes orange discoloration of body secretions.

Polycystic Kidney Disease

A genetic condition characterized by fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys that leads to renal failure; managed by regulating blood pressure and slowing progression with Tolvaptan.

Glomerulonephritis

Kidney inflammation that may develop following a streptococcal infection, presenting with elevated BUN and creatinine, reduced GFR, and cola-colored urine from protein.

Pre-renal AKI

Acute kidney injury resulting from impaired blood flow to the kidneys, caused by conditions such as hypotension, decreased cardiac output, or hypovolemia.

Intra-renal AKI

Acute kidney injury caused by direct damage to kidney structures, most commonly Acute Tubular Necrosis (ATN), lupus, or nephrotoxic medications.

Post-renal AKI

Acute kidney injury stemming from physical obstruction of urine outflow, such as kidney stones, prostate enlargement, or urinary stasis.

Oliguria

A state of decreased urine output defined as less than $400\,mL/day$.

Anuria

A state of absent or minimal urine output defined as less than $100\,mL/day$.

ROME Mnemonic

An acid-base memory aid where Respiratory indicates Opposite movement of pH and $pCO_2$, and Metabolic indicates Equal movement of pH and $HCO_3^-$.

Metabolic Acidosis

An acid-base imbalance characterized by excessive $H^+$ (caused by DKA, kidney disease, or salicylates), presenting with Kussmaul respirations, confusion, lethargy, nausea/vomiting, hypotension, and elevated heart rate.

Metabolic Alkalosis

An acid-base imbalance caused by excessive $HCO_3^-$ (from NG suctioning or vomiting), presenting with confusion, weakness, dysrhythmias, seizures, paresthesia, and compensatory hypoventilation.

Respiratory Acidosis

An acid-base state caused by $CO_2$ retention and inadequate ventilation (due to COPD, stroke, asthma, or neuromuscular disorders), resulting in hypoxemia, low respiratory rate, cyanosis, and hypercapnia leading to elevated intracranial pressure.

Respiratory Alkalosis

An acid-base state caused by hyperventilation (triggered by anxiety, pain, fever, or pneumonia), presenting with dizziness, confusion, weakness, and anxiety.

Silent Chest

A critical late sign in severe asthma indicating total or near-total airway obstruction where audible wheezing stops due to severe lack of air movement.

Status Asthmaticus

A life-threatening asthma emergency marked by severe hypoxemia, hypercapnia, and secondary respiratory failure; managed with IV magnesium, SABAs, and corticosteroids.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

A sleep disorder involving repetitive upper airway obstruction causing breathing cessation lasting $10\,\text{seconds}$ or longer, occurring more than $5\,\text{times/hour}$.

CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)

The gold-standard treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea that delivers constant positive pressure to keep the upper airway open during sleep.

Chronic Bronchitis

A form of COPD known as 'blue bloaters' involving excessive mucus production lasting over $3\,\text{months}$ for $2\,\text{consecutive years}$, causing blue lips, increased abdominal girth, and right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale).

Emphysema

A form of COPD known as 'pink puffers' caused by loss of tissue elasticity and air trapping, presenting with a flattened diaphragm, barrel chest, weight loss, red skin tone, and severe hyperventilation.

Pneumonia

An inflammatory condition causing excess fluid in the lungs, commonly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae or atypical Mycoplasma, presenting with fever, crackles, chest pain, high WBC count, and pulmonary consolidation on X-ray.

Tuberculosis Mantoux Test Induration Thresholds

Diagnostic skin test criteria where an induration of $\ge 15\,mm$ is positive for general populations, $\ge 10\,mm$ for drug users and children, and $\ge 5\,mm$ for immunocompromised patients.

Rifampin

An antitubercular drug associated with hepatotoxicity and benign orange discoloration of bodily fluids.

Isoniazid (INH)

An antitubercular medication that causes hepatotoxicity and peripheral neuropathy, which requires co-administration of Vitamin B6.

Pyrazinamide

An antitubercular agent that causes hepatotoxicity, hyperuricemia, and gout.

Ethambutol

An antitubercular medication that requires baseline and ongoing visual acuity assessments due to ocular toxicity risks.