Renal

An older adult presents with increased nocturia and hyponatremia—what age-related renal changes explain this?

Reduced nephron number and tubular concentrating ability leading to impaired sodium and water regulation

A patient with CKD has low exercise tolerance and pallor—what renal hormone deficiency is responsible?

Decreased erythropoietin causing anemia

Why does hypertension accelerate kidney damage over time?

Increased glomerular capillary pressure leads to sclerosis and nephron loss

A female patient with frequent UTIs—what anatomic factor increases her risk?

Shorter urethra allows easier ascending bacterial infection

A patient has urgency, frequency, and dysuria without fever—where is the infection most likely located?

Lower urinary tract (bladder/cystitis)

A UTI patient develops flank pain and fever—what complication is suspected?

Ascending infection causing acute pyelonephritis

An elderly patient with confusion and no urinary symptoms tests positive for bacteria—why can UTIs present atypically?

Older adults may have altered immune and neurologic responses

A patient with diabetes and recurrent UTIs is at risk for what serious complication?

Complicated UTI progressing to urosepsis

A patient with sudden high fever, chills, and costovertebral angle tenderness—most likely diagnosis?

Acute pyelonephritis

Chronic pyelonephritis often leads to ESRD—what underlying mechanism causes this?

Repeated infection causing fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis

A patient has recurrent kidney infections due to urine backing up into the ureters—what condition is present?

Vesicoureteral reflux

A CT scan shows a renal mass found incidentally—most likely adult renal cancer?

Renal cell carcinoma

Why is hematuria often painless in bladder or renal cancer?

Tumors do not initially irritate pain-sensitive structures

A patient with RCC complains of new bone pain—what serious complication must be considered?

Bone metastases

A child presents with a painless abdominal mass—most likely renal cancer?

Wilms tumor

A child treated with vincristine shows gait instability—what adverse effect explains this?

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

A patient has enlarged kidneys, hypertension, and hematuria—what hereditary disorder is likely?

Polycystic kidney disease

Why does PKD commonly progress to ESRD?

Expanding cysts compress and destroy functional renal tissue

A patient presents with severe flank pain radiating to the groin—what diagnosis fits best?

Renal calculi (kidney stone)

Why does dehydration increase kidney stone risk?

Concentrated urine increases crystal formation

A calcium-based kidney stone is suspected—what dietary factor contributes to recurrence?

High sodium intake increasing calcium excretion

A patient’s eGFR is 52 mL/min for 4 months—what diagnosis meets criteria?

Chronic kidney disease

Why does CKD cause widespread systemic symptoms?

Accumulation of uremic toxins and endocrine dysfunction

A CKD patient has tendon calcification and bone pain—what metabolic abnormality causes this?

Disrupted calcium, phosphate, and vitamin D metabolism

Why is cardiovascular disease the leading cause of death in CKD?

Shared risk factors and chronic hypertension/uremia

Why should PT sessions avoid hemodialysis days?

Dialysis causes fatigue, hypotension, and fluid shifts

A patient with CKD reports numbness and tingling in feet—what is the cause?

Uremic peripheral neuropathy

Protein and red blood cells are found in urine—what category of renal disease is likely?

Glomerular disease

Why do glomerular diseases commonly cause edema?

Protein loss reduces plasma oncotic pressure

A patient on diuretics for glomerular disease reports cramps—what explains this?

Electrolyte imbalance from diuretic use

A smoker presents with painless hematuria—what lower urinary disorder is most concerning?

Bladder cancer

Why is smoking a major bladder cancer risk factor?

Prolonged exposure of bladder epithelium to carcinogens

Urine leakage occurs with coughing and sneezing—what type of incontinence?

Stress urinary incontinence

A patient experiences sudden strong urges to urinate when hearing running water—what type of incontinence?

Urgency urinary incontinence

A patient with BPH leaks urine due to incomplete emptying—what type of incontinence?

Overflow urinary incontinence

A spinal cord injury patient has simultaneous detrusor and sphincter contraction—what condition is this?

Detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia

Why are neurogenic bladder patients at high risk for UTIs?

Urinary retention and incomplete bladder emptying

Why is intermittent catheterization preferred over indwelling?

Lower risk of infection

A neurogenic bladder patient benefits from sitting with hips relaxed—why?

Reduces pelvic floor overactivity and improves voiding

A PT notices rapid weight gain and bilateral edema in a renal patient—what action is required?

Medical referral due to possible fluid overload

Why should high-impact exercise be avoided in advanced CKD?

Renal osteodystrophy increases fracture risk