NUR 2063: Pathophysiology Final Exam
Study Guide
what is jaundice?
(Ans - green yellow staining of tissues from increased level of bilirubin as
the liver cannot metabolize extra bilirubin. Found on eyes, skin, and mouth.
present with liver disease
What is ascites?
(Ans - pathological accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity due to the
loss of albumin in the liver, causing fluid to be free amongst the cells. It can
cause a lot of pain in the abdomen, and it must be drained with a
parenthesis
What is hepatic encephalopathy?
(Ans - neuropsychiatric syndrome from too much ammonia in the blood as
the liver cannot break it down. Dementia=ammonia and psychotic
symptoms common along with jerking
What is portal hypertension?
(Ans - Increased pressure in the portal venous system from a build-up of
portal vein pressure due to progressive hepatic fibrosis which increases
hepatic resistance
What is esophageal varices?
(Ans - a complication of portal hypertension resulting from alcoholism or
hepatitis. Causes the vessels in the esophagus to become dilated and
bleed, and the rupturing can be forceful enough for one to bleed out
How do we treat esophageal varices?
(Ans - reduce the hypertension, banding the varices to prevent rupturing
and bleeding by cutting of the flow with a band
,What role does albumin play in the blood?
(Ans - Albumin helps keep fluid in the blood stream and in cells so it does
not leak into other tissues. It can also carry other substances in the body
What happens to albumin during liver failure?
(Ans - leads to low albumin levels, causing edema in the extremities and
buildup of fluid in abdomen called ascites from fluid leaking through the
cells and vessels into the tissues
Three functions of the kidneys
(Ans - elimination, excretion, regulation
Explain elimination
(Ans - discharge of waste (urine) from the body
Explain Excretion
(Ans - removal of organic wastes from the blood
Explain regulation
(Ans - regulating blood volume, ion concentration, blood pH and nutrients
Manifestations of renal disorders
(Ans - Pain: usually in the back-flank area, felt at the CVA angle when one
palpates with a closed fist and it causes the client tenderness. Pain upon
micturition
What are abnormal urinalysis findings?
(Ans - dark, strong smelling urine could denote decreased renal function,
infection or dehydration, cloudy urine could denote infection or high WBC
count. Ketones or glucose suggest diabetes, and proteinuria
Normal GFR
(Ans - 125 mL/min
,Normal urine output per hour
(Ans - 30 mL/hr
What is polycystic kidney disease?
(Ans - a congenital abnormality of the kidney that is genetically transmitted,
and it results in fluid filled cysts on one or both kidneys that can lead to
renal failure, needing dialysis, or kidney transplantation
What causes polycystic kidney disease?
(Ans - genetics
Explain nephron
(Ans - in the kidney and helps to filter blood and remove waste products.
The kidney has 1-2 million of them
Explain hematuria
(Ans - blood found in the urine not due to menstruation
Explain proteinuria
(Ans - protein found in the urine
What is nephrolithiasis?
(Ans - kidney stones that obstruct the ureters and kidneys. Usually made of
calcium and can cause urinary stasis and pain
What is pyelonephritis?
(Ans - infected and inflamed kidney, usually caused by e.coli from the lower
urinary tract that ascends
Explain how to assess for pyelonephritis
(Ans - Percussion at the CVA noting tenderness, pain when urinating, low
GFR, concentrated urine with things in urine
, s/s of pyelonephritis
(Ans - CVA tenderness most common, fever, chills, N/V, anorexia or not
willing to eat, flank pain
What is cystitis?
(Ans - inflammation of the bladder (UTI)
How to prevent pyelonephritis
(Ans - remove catheters as early as possible to prevent infection as it can
spread
s/s of acute kidney injury (AKI)
(Ans - low urine output, concentrated urine, low GFR, high BUN/CRE,
sudden reduction in kidney function
3 Causes of AKI
(Ans - Prerenal, intrarenal, postrenal
explain pre renal causes of AKI
(Ans - disruption in renal perfusion and blood flow. It can cause low blood
pressure, low blood volume, heart failure, renal artery obstruction, fever,
vomiting, diarrhea, burns that lead to dehydration, Drugs such as ACE
inhibitors or angiotensin 2 blockers, NSAIDs that can drop the blood
pressure or cause bleeding
Explain intrarenal causes of AKI
(Ans - damage or disruptions within the kidney blood vessels, tubules, or
glomeruli. It can cause reduced blood supply within the kidneys, toxic injury
with medications, chemo, and contrast medias, renal inflammation, or
prolonged prostate/ stones/ in the post renal stage
Explain postrenal causes of AKI
(Ans - caused by an obstruction in the urinary collecting system, urethra,
bladder, or ureters due to stone, tumor, or enlarged prostate that results in
elevated pressure in the Bowman's capsule that impedes glomerular
