SLCC Pathophysiology Unit 7 Renal and
Urologic System
Filters Blood - answer Excretion of metabolic waste products, especially protein by-
products [*creatinine, urea, ammonia*] and many drugs.
Blood Pressure Regulation - answerBy adjusting blood volume and serum osmolarity
[by *concentrating or diluting the urine*] and secreting the hormone RENIN
Regulates Acid-Base Balance - answerThrough reabsorption or excretion of Hydrogen
ions *[H+ and bicarbonate HCO3]*
Make *Erythropoietin* - answerSignals the bone marrow to create Red blood Cells.
Without this, the body would not be able to make new red blood cells which would lead
to *ANEMIA*, and anemia leads to *fatigue* and s/s of *hypoxia*
Make and release *Renin* - answerPlays an important role in the *renin-angiotensin-
aldosterone system* (RAAS) in the body. When released, this system works to
*INCREASE BLOOD PRESSURE*. Without this, the RAAS system won't work. This will
lead to hypotension.
Activate *Vitamin D* - answerActivated Vitamin D allows the GI tract to absorb more
calcium. Without this, the GI tract would not be able to absorb as much calcium, so
would have a risk for *hypocalcemia*
Blood Urea Nitrogen [BUN]
(Blood tests) - answer*NORMAL RANGE = LESS THAN 20* Urea is a by-product of
protein metabolism in the liver. The ammonia formed in this process is synthesized to
urea in the liver. Creation of this is the *most important catabolic pathway for eliminating
excess nitrogen*. Measuring how much of this is in the blood is an indicator of kidney
damage. However, this is also affected by dehydration, so it only indicates kidney
damage if *Creatinine* levels are also elevated.
Creatinine
(Blood tests) - answerA waste product from the normal breakdown of muscle tissue. As
this is produced, it is filtered through the *kidneys* and excreted in the urine as a normal
product of metabolism. If this is elevated that means it is not being excreted through the
kidneys. An elevated this along with an elevated *BUN* value, indicate kidney damage.
, Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
(Blood tests) - answerNormal range is 85-135 mL/min. It is a measure of how much
blood (in mL) gets filtered by the glomeruli *every minute*. This helps to detect *kidney
disease* in its early stages more reliably than the *creatinine test* alone. This is
affected by anything that would decrease the amount of blood flowing through the
kidneys. This could include heart failure, atherosclerosis or hypotension, amount other
things.
Urinalysis
(Urine tests) - answerA urine sample can provide a great deal of information about how
the kidney is functioning. Results include: *Specific Gravity, RBCs, WBCs, protein,
glucose, casts*
Specific Gravity - answer*Normal range 1.010 - 1.030* Measures how dilute or
concentrated the urine is. If the kidney is not functioning, the result will be a *FIXED
SPECIFIC GRAVITY*, meaning the number stays the same through several tests. This
indicates the kidney can no longer concentrate or dilute urine [kidney death].
Abnormal Substances - answer*If ANY* of these are found in the urine, it indicates a
problem:
*• RBCs
•WBCs
•Protein
•Glucose
•Casts* or crystals
Red Blood Cells in Urine - answerCould be kidney stones, infection, bladder
inflammation, kidney damage, etc.
White Blood Cells in Urine - answerMore than a few indicate the presence of infection
Protein in Urine - answerKidney is damaged in some way and allowing large protein
molecules to escape
Glucose in Urine - answerIf blood sugar is too high, it will "spill" into the urine
Casts in Urine - answerPieces of mineral deposits that are breaking loose and being
shed into the urine
Creatinine Clearance
(Urine tests) - answerProvides an estimate of kidney function and of the actual GFR.
However, in addition to the blood sample, this test requires a *timed urine collection [24
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