Chapter 13: Urinary System

What is the function of the kidneys?

Filter blood, remove wastes, regulate fluid/electrolytes, and help regulate blood pressure.

What is the functional unit of the kidney?

Nephron.

What is glomerular filtration?

Movement of water and small dissolved substances from blood into Bowman's capsule.

What is tubular reabsorption?

Movement of needed substances from renal tubules back into the bloodstream.

What is tubular secretion?

Movement of wastes/excess ions from blood into renal tubules for excretion.

What is the pathway of urine?

Kidneys → ureters → bladder → urethra → outside body.

What is dysuria?

Painful or difficult urination.

What is hematuria?

Blood in urine.

What is polyuria?

Excessive urination.

What is oliguria?

Decreased urine output.

What is anuria?

Absent or extremely low urine output.

What is glycosuria?

Glucose in urine.

Why does glucose appear in urine during uncontrolled diabetes?

Blood glucose exceeds renal threshold, so tubules cannot reabsorb all filtered glucose.

What is renal threshold?

Blood concentration at which renal tubules can no longer fully reabsorb a substance.

What is a clean-catch midstream urine specimen used for?

Reduces contamination for urinalysis or culture.

What is the correct order for clean-catch urine collection education?

Wash hands → clean urinary area front to back → begin voiding → collect midstream urine → finish voiding → secure lid → label/transport promptly.

What can nitrites in urine suggest?

Bacterial urinary tract infection.

What can leukocyte esterase in urine suggest?

White blood cells/inflammation, often UTI.

What should an MA do with abnormal urinalysis results?

Report to the provider and document per policy; do not diagnose.