Nephrology Final Exam: for quick study and exam preparation.
Nephrology Final Exam, Key Concepts
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1. Nephrology Nephrology is the field of internal medicine that deals with the study and treat-
ment of kidney diseases.
2. Acid-Base Disor- Acid-base disorders are conditions where the body cannot maintain normal pH
ders balance in the blood, resulting in either too much acid (acidosis) or too much
base (alkalosis). These disorders often involve the kidneys.
3. Evaluation Steps Evaluation steps and testing strategy involve the systematic approach to diag-
and Testing Strat- nosing acid-base disorders. This includes clinical assessment, measuring arterial
egy blood gases, evaluating electrolytes, and calculating values like the anion gap. The
goal is to identify the type of disorder, its primary cause, and any compensatory
responses.
4. ABG Analysis ABG analysis stands for arterial blood gas analysis. It is a blood test that mea-
sures the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH in arterial blood. This test
helps assess acid-base status and respiratory function in patients with suspected
acid-base disorders.
5. Serum Elec- Serum electrolytes are measurements of key ions in the blood, such as sodium,
trolytes potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. Evaluating these electrolytes is essential for
identifying and characterizing acid-base imbalances.
6. Mechanisms of Mechanisms of dysfunction describe how the normal processes that control acid
Dysfunction and base balance in the body become disrupted. In acid-base disorders, dysfunc-
tion can result from problems with kidneys (altering bicarbonate levels), lungs
(affecting carbon dioxide elimination), or buffer systems, leading to abnormal
blood pH.
7. Buffer Systems Buffer systems are chemical compounds in the body that help resist rapid changes
in pH by neutralizing excess acids or bases. They maintain acid-base balance
mainly through interactions in the blood and tissues.
8.
3/31/2026, 3:01:22 PM 3/31/2026, 3:01:21 PM 3/31/2026, 3:01:19 PM
, Nephrology Final Exam: for quick study and exam preparation.
Nephrology Final Exam, Key Concepts
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_igeesd
Compensation Compensation mechanisms are physiological processes that the body uses to
Mechanisms correct acid-base imbalances. They involve the lungs and kidneys working to
restore normal pH levels.
9. Renal and Respi- Renal and respiratory regulation refers to how the kidneys and lungs adjust the
ratory Regulation levels of acids and bases in the body. The lungs control carbon dioxide, while the
kidneys manage bicarbonate and hydrogen ions.
10. Therapeutic Therapeutic planning and clinical decision-making refers to the process of cre-
Planning and ating a treatment plan based on the specific acid-base disorder diagnosed.
Clinical It includes correcting the underlying cause, managing symptoms, monitoring
Decision-Making response to therapy, and adjusting interventions as needed to restore normal
acid-base balance.
11. Fluid Manage- Fluid management involves carefully controlling the amount and type of fluids
ment given to a patient. It is important for correcting both dehydration and fluid
overload, which can affect acid-base balance.
12. Underlying Underlying cause treatment refers to identifying and managing the primary
Cause Treatment condition that led to the acid-base disorder, such as treating infection, controlling
blood sugar, or correcting electrolyte imbalances.
13. Types and Defini- Types and definitions in acid-base disorders refer to the classification and ex-
tions planation of the various disturbances of blood pH balance. The major types
are metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis, and respiratory
alkalosis. Each type is defined by its primary underlying physiological change,
such as increased acid, decreased acid, increased carbon dioxide, or decreased
carbon dioxide.
14. Metabolic Acido- Metabolic acidosis is a type of acid-base disorder where there is a decrease in
sis blood pH due to a primary reduction in bicarbonate concentration. This commonly
results from increased acid production, loss of bicarbonate, or decreased acid
excretion by the kidneys.
3/31/2026, 3:01:22 PM 3/31/2026, 3:01:21 PM 3/31/2026, 3:01:19 PM
, Nephrology Final Exam: for quick study and exam preparation.
Nephrology Final Exam, Key Concepts
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_igeesd
15. Acute Kidney In-
jury Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a sudden decrease in kidney function that happens
over hours to days. It causes a buildup of waste products and imbalances in body
fluids and electrolytes.
16. Clinical and Labo- Clinical and laboratory findings are the observable symptoms and measured
ratory Findings medical results that indicate acute kidney injury. Clinically, patients may show
reduced urine output, swelling, and changes in mental state. Laboratory tests
often reveal elevated blood levels of urea and creatinine, as well as electrolyte
imbalances such as high potassium.
17. Elevated Creati- Elevated creatinine means that the level of creatinine in the blood is higher than
nine normal. This is a marker of decreased kidney function, as the kidneys are less able
to filter creatinine from the blood in acute kidney injury.
18. Reduced Urine Reduced urine output is when the kidneys produce much less urine than normal,
Output typically defined as less than 0.5 milliliters per kilogram per hour. It commonly
indicates poor kidney function or obstruction and is a key sign in diagnosing acute
kidney injury.
19. Treatment and This involves the methods used to manage acute kidney injury and track patient
Monitoring progress. Treatment may include correcting fluid and electrolyte imbalances,
stopping harmful medications, and treating the underlying cause. Monitoring
involves regular checks of kidney function, fluid status, and laboratory values.
20. Dialysis Indica- Dialysis indications are the specific clinical situations, such as severe fluid overload,
tions dangerous electrolyte imbalances, or toxin buildup, that signal the need to start
dialysis in a patient with acute kidney injury.
21. Discontinuation Discontinuation of nephrotoxins means stopping medicines or substances that
of Nephrotoxins can damage the kidneys, which helps prevent further injury and aids recovery in
acute kidney injury.
3/31/2026, 3:01:22 PM 3/31/2026, 3:01:21 PM 3/31/2026, 3:01:19 PM
Nephrology Final Exam, Key Concepts
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_igeesd
1. Nephrology Nephrology is the field of internal medicine that deals with the study and treat-
ment of kidney diseases.
2. Acid-Base Disor- Acid-base disorders are conditions where the body cannot maintain normal pH
ders balance in the blood, resulting in either too much acid (acidosis) or too much
base (alkalosis). These disorders often involve the kidneys.
3. Evaluation Steps Evaluation steps and testing strategy involve the systematic approach to diag-
and Testing Strat- nosing acid-base disorders. This includes clinical assessment, measuring arterial
egy blood gases, evaluating electrolytes, and calculating values like the anion gap. The
goal is to identify the type of disorder, its primary cause, and any compensatory
responses.
4. ABG Analysis ABG analysis stands for arterial blood gas analysis. It is a blood test that mea-
sures the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH in arterial blood. This test
helps assess acid-base status and respiratory function in patients with suspected
acid-base disorders.
5. Serum Elec- Serum electrolytes are measurements of key ions in the blood, such as sodium,
trolytes potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. Evaluating these electrolytes is essential for
identifying and characterizing acid-base imbalances.
6. Mechanisms of Mechanisms of dysfunction describe how the normal processes that control acid
Dysfunction and base balance in the body become disrupted. In acid-base disorders, dysfunc-
tion can result from problems with kidneys (altering bicarbonate levels), lungs
(affecting carbon dioxide elimination), or buffer systems, leading to abnormal
blood pH.
7. Buffer Systems Buffer systems are chemical compounds in the body that help resist rapid changes
in pH by neutralizing excess acids or bases. They maintain acid-base balance
mainly through interactions in the blood and tissues.
8.
3/31/2026, 3:01:22 PM 3/31/2026, 3:01:21 PM 3/31/2026, 3:01:19 PM
, Nephrology Final Exam: for quick study and exam preparation.
Nephrology Final Exam, Key Concepts
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_igeesd
Compensation Compensation mechanisms are physiological processes that the body uses to
Mechanisms correct acid-base imbalances. They involve the lungs and kidneys working to
restore normal pH levels.
9. Renal and Respi- Renal and respiratory regulation refers to how the kidneys and lungs adjust the
ratory Regulation levels of acids and bases in the body. The lungs control carbon dioxide, while the
kidneys manage bicarbonate and hydrogen ions.
10. Therapeutic Therapeutic planning and clinical decision-making refers to the process of cre-
Planning and ating a treatment plan based on the specific acid-base disorder diagnosed.
Clinical It includes correcting the underlying cause, managing symptoms, monitoring
Decision-Making response to therapy, and adjusting interventions as needed to restore normal
acid-base balance.
11. Fluid Manage- Fluid management involves carefully controlling the amount and type of fluids
ment given to a patient. It is important for correcting both dehydration and fluid
overload, which can affect acid-base balance.
12. Underlying Underlying cause treatment refers to identifying and managing the primary
Cause Treatment condition that led to the acid-base disorder, such as treating infection, controlling
blood sugar, or correcting electrolyte imbalances.
13. Types and Defini- Types and definitions in acid-base disorders refer to the classification and ex-
tions planation of the various disturbances of blood pH balance. The major types
are metabolic acidosis, metabolic alkalosis, respiratory acidosis, and respiratory
alkalosis. Each type is defined by its primary underlying physiological change,
such as increased acid, decreased acid, increased carbon dioxide, or decreased
carbon dioxide.
14. Metabolic Acido- Metabolic acidosis is a type of acid-base disorder where there is a decrease in
sis blood pH due to a primary reduction in bicarbonate concentration. This commonly
results from increased acid production, loss of bicarbonate, or decreased acid
excretion by the kidneys.
3/31/2026, 3:01:22 PM 3/31/2026, 3:01:21 PM 3/31/2026, 3:01:19 PM
, Nephrology Final Exam: for quick study and exam preparation.
Nephrology Final Exam, Key Concepts
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_igeesd
15. Acute Kidney In-
jury Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a sudden decrease in kidney function that happens
over hours to days. It causes a buildup of waste products and imbalances in body
fluids and electrolytes.
16. Clinical and Labo- Clinical and laboratory findings are the observable symptoms and measured
ratory Findings medical results that indicate acute kidney injury. Clinically, patients may show
reduced urine output, swelling, and changes in mental state. Laboratory tests
often reveal elevated blood levels of urea and creatinine, as well as electrolyte
imbalances such as high potassium.
17. Elevated Creati- Elevated creatinine means that the level of creatinine in the blood is higher than
nine normal. This is a marker of decreased kidney function, as the kidneys are less able
to filter creatinine from the blood in acute kidney injury.
18. Reduced Urine Reduced urine output is when the kidneys produce much less urine than normal,
Output typically defined as less than 0.5 milliliters per kilogram per hour. It commonly
indicates poor kidney function or obstruction and is a key sign in diagnosing acute
kidney injury.
19. Treatment and This involves the methods used to manage acute kidney injury and track patient
Monitoring progress. Treatment may include correcting fluid and electrolyte imbalances,
stopping harmful medications, and treating the underlying cause. Monitoring
involves regular checks of kidney function, fluid status, and laboratory values.
20. Dialysis Indica- Dialysis indications are the specific clinical situations, such as severe fluid overload,
tions dangerous electrolyte imbalances, or toxin buildup, that signal the need to start
dialysis in a patient with acute kidney injury.
21. Discontinuation Discontinuation of nephrotoxins means stopping medicines or substances that
of Nephrotoxins can damage the kidneys, which helps prevent further injury and aids recovery in
acute kidney injury.
3/31/2026, 3:01:22 PM 3/31/2026, 3:01:21 PM 3/31/2026, 3:01:19 PM
