Renal and Urinary System Assessment & Urologic Disorders

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts of renal assessment, urinary physiology, infectious and inflammatory urologic conditions, urinary retention and incontinence, and urologic procedures.

Nephron

The functional unit of the kidney, consisting of the glomerulus for filtering blood and a tubular system for fine-tuning filtrate.

Erythropoietin (EPO)

A hormone released by the kidneys in response to decreased oxygen delivery that stimulates red blood cell (RBC) production; decreased kidney function leads to decreased EPO and subsequent anemia.

Tubular Reabsorption

The transport of water, sodium, glucose, and other essential electrolytes or nutrients from the renal tubular filtrate back into the bloodstream.

Tubular Secretion

The movement of substances such as hydrogen ions ($\text{H}^+$), potassium ($\text{K}^+$), and certain wastes or medications from the blood into the renal tubular urine.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

The volume of blood filtered each minute by the glomeruli (normal young adult value is approximately $125\,mL/min$), serving as the best index of kidney function.

Serum Creatinine

A waste product of muscle breakdown released at a constant rate; its blood level does not increase until $50\%$ of kidney function is lost, making any elevation significant.

Creatinine Clearance (CrCl)

A calculation estimating renal filtration using a $24\text{-hour}$ urine collection and a serum creatinine sample, closely approximating true GFR.

Costovertebral Angle (CVA) Tenderness

Pain or tenderness elicited by percussion over the area formed by the 12th rib and the spine, indicative of kidney infection or inflammation such as pyelonephritis.

Renal Biopsy

A percutaneous procedure using an ultrasound-guided needle inserted into the lower lobe of the kidney to obtain tissue for diagnostic examination.

Cystoscopy

An endoscopic procedure inserting a lighted scope through the urethra to directly visualize the bladder and lower urinary tract structure.

Contrast-Associated Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

The onset of acute kidney failure within $24\text{ to }72\text{ hours}$ following the administration of nephrotoxic IV or PO contrast dye used in imaging studies.

Uncomplicated UTI

A urinary tract infection occurring in a structurally and functionally normal urinary tract, typically confined to the bladder.

Complicated UTI

A UTI occurring alongside structural or functional urinary tract abnormalities, pregnancy, catheterization, or immunocompromise, carrying a higher risk of pyelonephritis and urosepsis.

CAUTI

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection; a UTI linked to an indwelling urinary catheter, recognized as the most common healthcare-associated infection (HAI).

Phenazopyridine

An over-the-counter or prescribed urinary analgesic (Pyridium/AZO) that relieves urinary burning and discomfort, turns urine an orange/red color, and provides symptom relief without treating the infection.

Cystitis

Inflammation or infection of the bladder causing lower urinary tract symptoms (dysuria, frequency, urgency, suprapubic discomfort) without systemic manifestations.

Acute Pyelonephritis

An ascending infection and inflammation of the renal parenchyma and collecting system, presenting with systemic symptoms like fever, chills, flank pain, CVA tenderness, nausea, and vomiting.

Chronic Pyelonephritis

Persistent or recurrent kidney inflammation resulting in renal scarring, progressive loss of renal function, and potential progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Urethritis

Infection or inflammation of the urethra, frequently caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs), presenting with dysuria, urgency, frequency, and optional urethral discharge.

Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS)

A non-bacterial chronic inflammatory condition causing bladder and pelvic pain along with urinary urgency and frequency, where symptoms typically worsen with bladder filling and temporarily resolve after voiding.

Stress Incontinence

Involuntary loss of urine occurring during activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or physical exercise.

Overflow Incontinence

Involuntary urinary dribbling or leakage caused by an overdistended bladder resulting from incomplete bladder emptying or urinary retention.

Urinary Retention

The inability to completely or partially empty the bladder; acute retention presents as a sudden inability to void requiring urgent decompression, whereas chronic retention features persistent incomplete emptying.

Hydronephrosis

Dilation and swelling of the renal pelvis and calyces caused by the accumulation of urine secondary to an obstruction in the urinary tract.

Nephrolithiasis

The formation of mineral deposits or stones (calculi) within the kidney or urinary tract, most frequently composed of calcium salts.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)

A non-invasive procedure using external acoustic shock waves to fragment urinary calculi into smaller pieces to facilitate spontaneous passage through the ureters.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)

A surgical procedure where a tract is created through the skin into the kidney to directly break up and remove large or complex renal stones.

Nephrostomy Tube

A catheter inserted directly through the skin into the renal pelvis to provide external urinary drainage when normal flow down the ureter is obstructed.