Nursing Complex Health Alterations II: Renal and Reproductive Systems

A comprehensive vocabulary review of renal pathophysiology, dialysis management, urinary system disorders, and male/female reproductive conditions based on complex health alterations lecture notes.

Kidney Functions

The four main physiological tasks of the kidneys: urine elimination, filtering water and waste, producing erythropoietin, and activating vitamin D while helping regulate blood pressure.

Nocturia

Frequent urination at night, managed with interventions such as adequate night lighting, scheduled toileting, and limiting fluids close to bedtime.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

A sudden loss of kidney function categorized into prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal causes.

Prerenal AKI

A classification of acute kidney injury resulting from decreased blood flow to the kidneys.

Intrarenal AKI

A classification of acute kidney injury resulting from direct damage within the kidney tissue.

Postrenal AKI

A classification of acute kidney injury resulting from an obstruction of urine flow.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Kidney damage or disease lasting more than 3 months, commonly caused by diabetes and hypertension, with stages 4 and 5 indicating severe disease.

End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD)

Advanced kidney failure commonly requiring dialysis or kidney transplant; lab findings include hyperkalemia, increased urine albumin, decreased RBCs, and sometimes increased sodium.

Hemodialysis

A renal replacement therapy lasting approximately 3 to 4 hours per session that removes excess fluid and waste via an AV fistula or central venous catheter.

Arteriovenous (AV) Fistula Arm Precautions

Strict procedural contraindications for an extremity with a hemodialysis fistula, prohibiting blood pressure measurements, IV insertions, and blood draws.

Peritoneal Dialysis

A renal replacement therapy utilizing an intra-abdominal catheter with exchanges occurring throughout the day or overnight to remove excess fluid and waste.

Peritonitis

A major complication of peritoneal dialysis.

Hydronephrosis

A collection of urine in the renal pelvis causing kidney enlargement, commonly resulting from urinary obstruction.

Kidney Transplant Rejection

An immune-mediated complication following kidney transplantation, presenting with fever, decreased urine output, and graft tenderness.

Pyelonephritis

An active kidney infection characterized by fever, flank pain, chills, and urinary symptoms, which can trigger preterm labor during pregnancy.

Cystitis

Inflammation of the bladder.

Urethritis

Inflammation of the urethra, which can be caused by noninfectious agents such as feminine hygiene sprays, spermicidal jellies, or chemical irritants.

Renal Calculi

Kidney stones.

Urolithiasis

The presence of stones in the urinary tract.

Lithotripsy

A medical procedure that breaks kidney stones into smaller pieces.

Stress Incontinence

Involuntary urine leakage that occurs with coughing, sneezing, or laughing.

Urge Incontinence

A sudden urge to urinate accompanied by involuntary leakage.

Functional Incontinence

Urinary leakage resulting from an inability to reach the toilet in time.

Overflow Incontinence

Involuntary urine leakage resulting from an overfilled bladder.

Glomerulonephritis

Inflammation or injury of the glomeruli that filter blood, caused by an excessive immune response within kidney tissue and presenting with hematuria, edema, hypertension, and oliguria.

Percutaneous Kidney Biopsy

A diagnostic procedure used to obtain kidney tissue; post-procedure monitoring requires assessing the dressing site, vital signs, urine output, hemoglobin, and hematocrit.

Urine Specific Gravity

A urinalysis parameter that measures the concentration of urine.

Proteinuria

The presence of protein in the urine, suggesting possible kidney damage.

Urine pH

A urinalysis measurement indicating the acidity or alkalinity of urine.

Leukocyte Esterase

A urine dipstick marker indicating the presence of white blood cells (WBCs), which suggests possible infection or inflammation.

Nitrites

A urinalysis dipstick finding that suggests a possible bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI).

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

Benign enlargement of the prostate characterized by a weak stream, hesitancy, urinary retention, and postvoid dribbling.

Erectile Dysfunction

Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection; risk factors include aging, vascular disease, diabetes, medications, and psychological factors.

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)

A laboratory blood test utilized in the evaluation and detection of prostate cancer.

Prostatectomy

The surgical removal of part or all of the prostate gland.

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)

The surgical removal of prostate tissue through the urethra.

Toxic Shock Syndrome

An acute condition characterized by fever, rash, and dizziness, treated using IV antibiotics, IV fluids, and source removal.

Uterine Prolapse

Weakening of pelvic muscles and ligaments that allows the uterus to descend into the vaginal canal, presenting with cystocele, pelvic heaviness, urinary leakage, and constipation.

Hysterectomy

The surgical removal of the uterus.

Mastectomy

The surgical removal of breast tissue; postoperative assessment must include monitoring for lymphedema.

Fibroadenoma

A benign breast mass composed of glandular and fibrous tissue.

Fibrocystic Breast Changes

Benign breast changes that may cause pain and lumpiness around menstruation.

Menopause

The permanent cessation of menstrual periods, generally confirmed after 12 consecutive months without menstruation.