Renal Health, AKI, CKD, and UTI Vocabulary

Practice flashcards defining core terms, diagnostic assessments, clinical phases, and interventions related to urinary tract infections, acute kidney injury, and chronic kidney disease.

Erythropoietin

A hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates red blood cell production, deficiency of which leads to anemia in kidney disease.

Renin

An enzyme released by the kidneys that plays a key role in the regulation of blood pressure.

KUB

A diagnostic radiographic examination that visualizes the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.

Pyelonephritis

An upper urinary tract infection involving the kidneys, characterized by manifestations including flank pain, fever, and chills.

Cystitis

A lower urinary tract infection characterized by inflammation of the bladder.

Urosepsis

A severe, life-threatening systemic infection caused by the spread of an infection from the urinary tract requiring emergency intervention.

Escherichia coli (E. coli)

The predominant bacterial organism responsible for approximately $75\%$ of urinary tract infections.

CAUTI

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection, representing a healthcare-associated infection linked to indwelling urinary catheters.

Dysuria

Painful or difficult urination commonly associated with urinary tract infections.

Nocturnal Enuresis

Involuntary nighttime bed-wetting during sleep.

Clean-Catch Urine Specimen

A midstream urine collection technique where the client cleanses the meatus, begins voiding, and collects the sample midstream to avoid contamination.

24-Hour Urine Collection

A quantitative urine test in which the patient's initial void is discarded, after which all urine for the subsequent 24 hours is collected and kept continuously on ice.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

A sudden, typically reversible decline in renal function characterized by elevated creatinine and BUN and alterations in urine output.

Prerenal AKI

Acute kidney injury resulting from decreased blood flow to the kidneys, such as from dehydration, shock, heart failure, or severe blood loss.

Intrarenal AKI

Acute kidney injury resulting from direct damage to renal tissues caused by nephrotoxic medications (such as vancomycin or gentamicin), acute tubular necrosis, or inflammation.

Postrenal AKI

Acute kidney injury caused by mechanical obstruction of urine outflow distal to the kidneys, such as from benign prostatic hyperplasia, strictures, or calculi.

Oliguric Phase

The stage of acute kidney injury characterized by scant urine output of less than $400\,\text{mL/day}$, leading to fluid retention, edema, hypertension, and hyperkalemia.

Diuretic Phase

The stage of acute kidney injury recovery characterized by a large increase in urine output up to $1\,\text{to}\,5\,\text{liters/day}$, placing the patient at risk for hypovolemia and dehydration.

Kayexalate (Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate)

A cation-exchange resin that treats hyperkalemia by binding potassium in the gastrointestinal tract so it can be excreted in the stool.

Uremic Frost

Crystallized urea deposits appearing on the skin in severe chronic renal failure that cause pruritus and dryness.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

The gradual, irreversible loss of kidney function commonly defined by a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of less than $60\,\text{mL/min}$.

Arteriovenous (AV) Fistula

A surgically created vascular access for hemodialysis connecting an artery and a vein, in which blood pressures and venipunctures are strictly contraindicated.

Bruit

A blowing or swooshing sound auscultated over a patent arteriovenous (AV) fistula indicating blood flow.

Thrill

A palpable buzzing vibration felt over a patent arteriovenous (AV) fistula.

Peritoneal Dialysis

A renal replacement modality utilizing the peritoneum as a semipermeable membrane and high-glucose dialysate, which carries a notable risk of peritonitis.

Calcium Carbonate

A medication administered to patients with chronic renal failure that acts as a phosphate binder to eliminate phosphorus from the body and correct hypocalcemia.

Insensible Fluid Loss

Unmeasurable daily fluid loss occurring through respiration, perspiration, and feces.

Epoetin Alfa (Epogen)

A synthetic erythropoietin agent administered via subcutaneous injection to stimulate red blood cell production in patients with chronic kidney failure.