Module 11 Vocabulary

Acute kidney injury (AKI): A rapid decline in kidney function, often reversible, characterized by an increase in serum creatinine, decrease in urine output, or both.

Afferent arteriole: A small artery that carries blood toward the glomerulus of the kidney, regulating blood flow into the nephron.

Aldosterone: A hormone produced by the adrenal glands that helps regulate sodium and water balance, influencing blood pressure.

Antidiuretic hormone (ADH): A hormone that helps regulate water balance by promoting water reabsorption in the kidneys.

Azotemia: An elevation of nitrogen-containing compounds such as urea and creatinine in the blood, often a sign of kidney dysfunction.

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): A blood test that measures the concentration of urea nitrogen, an indicator of kidney function.

Bowman’s capsule: A cup-like structure surrounding the glomerulus in the nephron that collects the filtrate from the blood.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD): A gradual loss of kidney function over time, typically due to diabetes, hypertension, or other factors.

Collecting tubule: A component of the nephron that collects urine from the distal convoluted tubules and passes it into the renal pelvis.

Creatinine: A waste product from muscle metabolism that is filtered by the kidneys and is commonly measured to assess kidney function.

Cystitis: Inflammation of the bladder, typically caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Distal convoluted tubule: A portion of the nephron that is involved in the reabsorption of sodium and water and secretion of potassium.

Dysuria: Painful or difficult urination, often a symptom of infection or inflammation in the urinary tract.

Efferent arteriole: A small artery that carries blood away from the glomerulus after filtration occurs.

Encephalopathy: A broad term referring to any disease or disorder that affects the brain, which can occur in severe kidney disease due to the accumulation of toxins.

End-stage renal disease (ESRD): The final stage of chronic kidney disease, where kidney function is so impaired that dialysis or a kidney transplant is needed.

Erythropoietin: A hormone produced by the kidneys that stimulates the production of red blood cells in the bone marrow.

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL): A non-invasive treatment for kidney stones that uses shock waves to break the stones into smaller pieces.

Flank pain: Pain that occurs in the side of the body, often associated with kidney problems such as kidney stones or infections.

Glomerular basement membrane: A thin, specialized structure in the kidney that helps filter blood and retains larger molecules like proteins in the bloodstream.

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR): A test that measures how well the kidneys are filtering blood, used to assess kidney function.

Hydronephrosis: Swelling of the kidney due to the buildup of urine, often caused by an obstruction or blockage in the urinary tract.

Hydroureter: Dilation of the ureter, usually caused by a blockage or obstruction that prevents urine from passing from the kidney to the bladder.

Intrarenal (intrinsic) renal failure: Kidney failure caused by damage to the kidney tissue itself, often due to toxins, infections, or diseases affecting the kidneys.

Isosthenuria: The inability of the kidneys to concentrate or dilute urine, which can be a sign of kidney dysfunction.

Juxtaglomerular complex: A specialized structure near the glomerulus that plays a role in regulating blood pressure and kidney function by secreting renin.

Loop of Henle: A U-shaped portion of the nephron involved in concentrating urine by reabsorbing water and salts.

Nephron: The functional unit of the kidney that filters blood, reabsorbs essential nutrients, and excretes waste products as urine.

Nephrotoxic: Refers to substances or agents that are toxic to the kidneys, such as certain medications or chemicals.

Oliguria: A condition characterized by a reduced urine output, usually less than 400 milliliters per day.

Pathological fractures: Broken bones that occur without trauma, often due to weakened bones from conditions like renal osteodystrophy in chronic kidney disease.

Peritubular capillary network: A network of capillaries surrounding the nephron that facilitates the reabsorption of water and solutes from the filtrate.

Postrenal failure: Kidney failure caused by obstruction of urine flow after the kidney, such as from a blockage in the ureter, bladder, or urethra.

Prerenal failure: Kidney failure caused by inadequate blood flow to the kidneys, often due to dehydration, heart failure, or blood loss.

Proximal convoluted tubule: The first segment of the nephron where most of the reabsorption of water, glucose, and other substances occurs.

Pruritis: Itching, often experienced by clients with chronic kidney disease due to the accumulation of waste products in the blood.

Pyelonephritis: A kidney infection typically caused by bacteria that ascend the urinary tract to the kidneys, leading to inflammation.

Renal calculi/nephrolithiasis/urolithiasis/urinary calculi: Kidney stones; solid deposits of minerals and salts that form in the kidneys and can cause severe pain when they move.

Renal colic: Severe, cramp-like pain caused by the movement of kidney stones through the urinary tract.

Renal osteodystrophy/CKD-mineral bone disorder: A condition in chronic kidney disease where the kidneys' inability to regulate calcium and phosphorus leads to bone disease.

Renin: An enzyme produced by the kidneys that plays a key role in regulating blood pressure through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

Urea: A nitrogenous waste product formed from the breakdown of proteins, which is filtered by the kidneys and excreted in the urine.

Uremia: A condition characterized by elevated levels of urea and other waste products in the blood, often seen in advanced kidney failure.

Uremic frost: A rare sign of severe uremia, where crystals of urea form on the skin due to the excessive buildup of waste products.

Urinary reflux: A condition where urine flows backward from the bladder into the kidneys, often due to a malfunctioning valve.

Urinary stasis: A condition where urine is not properly expelled from the bladder, increasing the risk of infections and kidney damage.

Urinary tract infection (UTI): An infection in any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra.

Vasa recta: A network of small blood vessels that supply the nephron, particularly in the medulla, playing a role in the kidney’s ability to concentrate urine.

Vitamin D: A fat-soluble vitamin important for calcium absorption and bone health, which is often deficient in chronic kidney disease due to impaired conversion in the kidneys.

Voiding: The process of expelling urine from the bladder through the urethra.

“Washout phenomenon”: A theory that describes the flushing out of bacteria from the bladder during normal voiding, which helps prevent urinary tract infections.