Renal and GI Nursing Examination Review: Renal Function, Electrolyte
Balance, Diuretics, Urinary Tract Disorders, Congenital and Acquired Cardiac
Defects, Heart Failure, Hypoxemia, Cyanosis, Pediatric Cardiology, Cardiac
Catheterization, Postoperative Care, Infective Endocarditis, Rheumatic Fever,
Immobilization Effects, Fractures, Traumatic Injuries, Sports-Related
Musculoskeletal Disorders, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Systemic Lupus
Erythematosus, Gastrointestinal Function, GERD, Peptic Ulcer Disease,
Laxatives, Antiemetics, GI Motility, Hepatic and Pancreatic Function, Fluid
Rebound, Blood Pressure Regulation, Acid-Base Balance, and Patient-Centered
Nursing Interventions Exam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+
Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Considering the function of the kidney, if a patient lost kidney function, a nurse would expect to see:
A. Increase in RBC count
B. Decreased fluid volume
C. Low blood potassium
D. Variability in control of BP
D. Variability in control of BP
Can a person have kidney damage and not be aware? Explain.
Yes, because at least 75% of nephrons must be damaged for signs and symptoms to show.
What is the anatomical explanation for more frequent urinary tract infections in females versus males?
The female urethra is shorter than the males.
What are the three protective layers of the kidney?
Fiber layer
,Brown fat layer
Renal parietal layer
What are the three regions of the kidneys?
Outer cortex
Inner medulla
Renal pelvises
Where are the kidneys located?
Under the ribs for protection.
Nephrons
2.4 million nephrons in an adult.
Filter out waste products.
Filter fluid and make urine.
Only 25% of total # of nephrons are necessary for health function.
At least 75% of nephrons must be damaged for S&S to show.
What are the major functions of the renal system?
,Maintaining the volume and composition of body fluids within normal ranges (concentrating urine) (ADH
and Aldosterone).
Clearing nitrogenous waste (BUN) from protein metabolism.
Maintaining acid-base balance and electrolyte levels.
Excreting various drugs.
Regulating vitamin D activation (which helps regulate calcium).
Regulating BP through the RAAS.
Regulating RBC production through erythropoietin.
Glomerular Filtration
Tuft of blood vessels with capillary-like endothelium allows passage of fluid and waste products.
Only 1% of filtrate is excreted as urine since a majority is physiologically useful.
Substances are removed from the blood, not from urine.
Urine is excreted, not processed internally.
Passing of fluids from capillary system to renal tubule in Bowman's capsule.
Substances normally filtered and excreted in the urine: Sodium, chloride, bicarbonate, potassium,
glucose, urea, creatinine, uric acid.
What can cause escape of RBCs and protein from the glomerular semipermeable membrane?
Glucose scarring
, Damage to kidneys
Swelling
How is potassium regulated in the kidneys?
65% of potassium that is filtered at the glomerulus is reabsorbed at Bowman’s capsule and the proximal
convoluted tubule.
The fine-tuning of potassium levels occurs in the distal convoluted tubule, where aldosterone activated
the sodium-potassium exchange, leading to a loss of potassium.
How do the kidneys control high potassium levels?
If potassium levels are very high, the retention of sodium in exchange for potassium leads to retention
of water and dilution of blood volume.
Water retention leads to edema.
How is sodium regulated in the kidneys?
Dilution and concentration are functions of sodium regulation.
Sodium ions are reabsorbed into body by aid of carbonic anhydrase. As sodium is removed from filtrate,
it takes chloride ions and water with it (where sodium goes, water follows).
What hormone is released in response to fluid overload and hemodilution?
Natriuretic hormone.
Balance, Diuretics, Urinary Tract Disorders, Congenital and Acquired Cardiac
Defects, Heart Failure, Hypoxemia, Cyanosis, Pediatric Cardiology, Cardiac
Catheterization, Postoperative Care, Infective Endocarditis, Rheumatic Fever,
Immobilization Effects, Fractures, Traumatic Injuries, Sports-Related
Musculoskeletal Disorders, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Systemic Lupus
Erythematosus, Gastrointestinal Function, GERD, Peptic Ulcer Disease,
Laxatives, Antiemetics, GI Motility, Hepatic and Pancreatic Function, Fluid
Rebound, Blood Pressure Regulation, Acid-Base Balance, and Patient-Centered
Nursing Interventions Exam Questions Verified and Provided with Complete A+
Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Considering the function of the kidney, if a patient lost kidney function, a nurse would expect to see:
A. Increase in RBC count
B. Decreased fluid volume
C. Low blood potassium
D. Variability in control of BP
D. Variability in control of BP
Can a person have kidney damage and not be aware? Explain.
Yes, because at least 75% of nephrons must be damaged for signs and symptoms to show.
What is the anatomical explanation for more frequent urinary tract infections in females versus males?
The female urethra is shorter than the males.
What are the three protective layers of the kidney?
Fiber layer
,Brown fat layer
Renal parietal layer
What are the three regions of the kidneys?
Outer cortex
Inner medulla
Renal pelvises
Where are the kidneys located?
Under the ribs for protection.
Nephrons
2.4 million nephrons in an adult.
Filter out waste products.
Filter fluid and make urine.
Only 25% of total # of nephrons are necessary for health function.
At least 75% of nephrons must be damaged for S&S to show.
What are the major functions of the renal system?
,Maintaining the volume and composition of body fluids within normal ranges (concentrating urine) (ADH
and Aldosterone).
Clearing nitrogenous waste (BUN) from protein metabolism.
Maintaining acid-base balance and electrolyte levels.
Excreting various drugs.
Regulating vitamin D activation (which helps regulate calcium).
Regulating BP through the RAAS.
Regulating RBC production through erythropoietin.
Glomerular Filtration
Tuft of blood vessels with capillary-like endothelium allows passage of fluid and waste products.
Only 1% of filtrate is excreted as urine since a majority is physiologically useful.
Substances are removed from the blood, not from urine.
Urine is excreted, not processed internally.
Passing of fluids from capillary system to renal tubule in Bowman's capsule.
Substances normally filtered and excreted in the urine: Sodium, chloride, bicarbonate, potassium,
glucose, urea, creatinine, uric acid.
What can cause escape of RBCs and protein from the glomerular semipermeable membrane?
Glucose scarring
, Damage to kidneys
Swelling
How is potassium regulated in the kidneys?
65% of potassium that is filtered at the glomerulus is reabsorbed at Bowman’s capsule and the proximal
convoluted tubule.
The fine-tuning of potassium levels occurs in the distal convoluted tubule, where aldosterone activated
the sodium-potassium exchange, leading to a loss of potassium.
How do the kidneys control high potassium levels?
If potassium levels are very high, the retention of sodium in exchange for potassium leads to retention
of water and dilution of blood volume.
Water retention leads to edema.
How is sodium regulated in the kidneys?
Dilution and concentration are functions of sodium regulation.
Sodium ions are reabsorbed into body by aid of carbonic anhydrase. As sodium is removed from filtrate,
it takes chloride ions and water with it (where sodium goes, water follows).
What hormone is released in response to fluid overload and hemodilution?
Natriuretic hormone.
