Urinary and Renal Disorders Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts, diagnostic values, and management for urinary and renal disorders.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

A noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland common in aging men (usually over $40\,\text{years old}$) that can compress the urethra and cause difficulty urinating.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

An active metabolite of testosterone that mediates prostate tissue growth.

Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)

A diagnostic physical exam where BPH typically presents as a large, rubbery, and non-tender prostate.

Postvoid Residual (PVR)

A measurement of residual urine volume remaining in the bladder post-micturition, where normal is $<50\,mL$ in younger adults and $<50 - 100\,mL$ in older adults.

Alpha-adrenergic blockers

Pharmacologic agents (such as alfuzosin, terazosin, doxazosin, and tamsulosin) that relax the smooth muscle of the prostate and bladder neck to improve urine flow.

5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors

Pharmacologic agents (such as finasteride and dutasteride) that prevent the conversion of testosterone to DHT, leading to a decrease in prostate size.

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)

The benchmark surgical treatment for BPH that involves the surgical removal of inner prostate tissue via an endoscope inserted through the urethra.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

A rapid and reversible loss of kidney function due to kidney damage, leading to fluid/electrolyte imbalance, metabolic acidosis, and retention of waste products.

Prerenal AKI

A classification of AKI caused by hypoperfusion or decreased blood flow BEFORE the kidney, characterized by a urine sodium level $<20\,mEq/L$.

Intrarenal AKI

A classification of AKI caused by direct damage INSIDE the kidney structure, tubules, or glomeruli, characterized by a urine sodium level $>40\,mEq/L$ and urinary casts/cellular debris.

Postrenal AKI

A classification of AKI caused by urine outflow obstruction AFTER the kidney, leading to pressure build-up in kidney tubules.

Hyperkalemia

The most life-threatening electrolyte problem in AKI that can trigger cardiac arrhythmias and arrest, requiring IV dextrose + insulin, calcium, or emergency dialysis if ECG changes occur.

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT)

A dialysis modality that continuously removes waste and fluid from the blood, commonly utilized in critically ill patients.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Kidney damage or decreased GFR lasting for $3\,\text{months}$ or more, which can progressively advance to End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD).

Stage 1 CKD

Early kidney damage characterized by a normal or increased GFR of $\ge 90\,mL/min/1.73\,m^2$.

Stage 5 CKD

End-stage kidney disease characterized by a GFR $<15\,mL/min/1.73\,m^2$, where renal replacement therapy (RRT) is required to sustain life.

Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

An assessment parameter that measures the volume of plasma filtered through the glomeruli per unit of time.

Creatinine Clearance

A diagnostic assessment that measures the amount of creatinine the kidneys are able to clear over a $24\,\text{hour}$ period.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

An infection in any part of the urinary system caused by pathogenic microorganisms, with E. coli being the most common causative agent.

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI)

A urinary tract infection specifically associated with the presence of an indwelling urinary catheter.

Cystitis

Infection or inflammation localized to the bladder, categorized as a lower UTI.

Pyelonephritis

An upper UTI involving infection of the kidney structures and ureters, presenting with fever, chills, flank pain, and costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness.

Pyuria

The presence of white blood cells (WBCs) in the urine, indicated on urinalysis.

Phenazopyridine

A urinary analgesic medication prescribed to relieve burning sensations and urinary discomfort during a UTI.

Stress Incontinence

Involuntary urine leakage resulting from increased abdominal pressure during exertion, sneezing, coughing, or changing position.

Urge Incontinence

Involuntary loss of urine accompanied by a sudden, intense desire to void, caused by uninhibited detrusor muscle contractions.

Functional Incontinence

Involuntary loss of urine resulting from physical or cognitive impairments that hinder reaching the toilet in time, even though lower urinary tract function remains intact.

Iatrogenic Incontinence

Incontinence resulting from medical factors, predominantly medication side effects, which may reverse upon discontinuing the drug.

Overflow Incontinence

Involuntary, continual leakage of urine secondary to an overdistended bladder due to outlet obstruction, BPH, or detrusor muscle underactivity.

Mirabegron

A pharmacologic therapy utilized in managing urge incontinence and overactive bladder.