Renal Pathophysiology Active Recall Flashcards

Flashcards testing core concepts of renal pathophysiology, upper/lower urinary tract obstructions, UTIs, glomerulonephritis, AKI, and CKD based on lecture slides.

What are the primary functions of the kidneys in maintaining homeostasis?

Maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance, regulating acid-base balance, regulating blood pressure, producing erythropoietin, and activating vitamin D.

What structural and functional changes occur proximal to an upper urinary tract obstruction?

Dilation of the renal pelvis and calyces (hydronephrosis) and a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

What is the most common chemical composition of renal calculi (kidney stones)?

Calcium.

What factor is considered the most important in the formation of renal calculi?

Urine pH.

What is renal colic and what primary symptom characterizes it?

Severe, cramping flank pain caused by an acute obstruction of the urinary tract by a kidney stone.

How is stress incontinence defined?

Involuntary loss of urine occurring with increased intra-abdominal pressure, such as during coughing, sneezing, or laughing.

What is cystitis and where does it occur?

An inflammation of the bladder, representing a lower urinary tract infection.

Which organism is the most common cause of acute pyelonephritis and urinary tract infections?

Escherichia coli

What do positive findings of nitrites and leukocyte esterase on a urinalysis indicate?

The presence of a bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI).

What is interstitial cystitis (bladder pain syndrome) and what is its hallmark symptom?

A nonbacterial chronic inflammatory condition of the bladder characterized by hallmark pelvic or bladder pain and discomfort.

What is vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and what complication can it cause?

The backward flow of urine from the bladder into the ureters or kidneys, which predisposes to recurrent kidney infections and pyelonephritis.

What does costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness signify clinical assessment?

Pain elicited by percussion over the flank area overlying the kidney, signifying kidney inflammation or acute pyelonephritis.

What pathophysiologic mechanism causes acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis?

Antigen-antibody complex deposition in the glomerular capillaries leading to complement activation and inflammatory damage.

How does Goodpasture syndrome produce tissue injury in the glomerulus?

Through the production of autoantibodies directed against the glomerular basement membrane.

What specific microscopic urinary finding is characteristic of acute glomerulonephritis?

Red blood cell (RBC) casts in the urine accompanied by proteinuria.

According to the lecture, what urine output threshold defines oliguria?

A urine output of less than $20\,\text{mL/hr}$ or less than $400\,\text{mL/24 hr}$.

What defines prerenal acute kidney injury (AKI) and what is a primary cause?

AKI caused by decreased kidney perfusion and inadequate renal blood flow, such as from severe hypovolemia or hemorrhage.

What defines intrarenal (intrinsic) acute kidney injury (AKI) and what is a common example?

AKI caused by direct tissue damage to the kidney parenchyma or tubules, such as Acute Tubular Necrosis (ATN) following severe burns or nephrotoxic exposures.

What defines postrenal acute kidney injury (AKI) and what conditions lead to it?

AKI caused by urinary tract obstruction downstream of the kidneys, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or tumors.

Why do patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) develop anemia?

Inadequate production of erythropoietin by the damaged kidney parenchyma.

Why are bone fractures a significant risk in patients with chronic renal failure?

The failing kidneys cannot activate vitamin D, leading to impaired intestinal calcium absorption and bone demineralization.

Why is dietary protein restriction included in the treatment regimen for chronic renal failure?

To reduce the accumulation of nitrogenous waste products (such as BUN) and mitigate uremic symptoms.

What anatomical and physiological defense mechanisms protect males against urinary pathogens?

The greater length of the male urethra and antimicrobial secretions from the prostate.