NR 507 Week 6: Renal and Urinary Pathophysiology 2026 Chamberlain
1. Which of the following is the primary functional unit of the kidney?
A. Nephron
B. Glomerulus
C. Collecting duct
D. Loop of Henle
Answer: A
Rationale: The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtration,
reabsorption, and secretion.
2. Which hormone is primarily responsible for stimulating red blood cell
production in the bone marrow?
A. Renin
B. Aldosterone
C. Erythropoietin
D. Calcitriol
Answer: C
Rationale: Erythropoietin is produced by the kidneys in response to hypoxia to stimulate
erythropoiesis.
3. Which of the following describes the GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate)?
A. The amount of urine produced per hour
B. The speed at which the bladder empties
C. The volume of plasma filtered through the glomeruli per minute
D. The concentration of urea in the blood
Answer: C
,Rationale: GFR measures the volume of plasma filtered through the glomerular capillaries
into Bowman’s capsule per unit of time.
4. Which acid-base imbalance is most commonly associated with chronic kidney
disease (CKD)?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: CKD leads to metabolic acidosis due to the kidneys’ inability to excrete
hydrogen ions and regenerate bicarbonate.
5. What is the most common cause of prerenal acute kidney injury (AKI)?
A. Hypovolemia
B. Bladder outlet obstruction
C. Nephrotoxic drugs
D. Glomerulonephritis
Answer: A
Rationale: Prerenal AKI is caused by decreased blood flow to the kidneys, with
hypovolemia being the most frequent trigger.
6. Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by which of the following clinical
findings?
A. Massive proteinuria and edema
B. Hematuria and hypertension
C. Oliguria and flank pain
D. Pyuria and fever
Answer: A
, Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome involves increased glomerular permeability leading to
massive proteinuria (>3.5g/day), hypoalbuminemia, and edema.
7. A patient with postrenal AKI likely has which of the following conditions?
A. Benign prostatic hyperplasia
B. Renal artery stenosis
C. Acute tubular necrosis
D. Sepsis
Answer: A
Rationale: Postrenal AKI is caused by an obstruction in the urinary tract below the
kidneys, such as BPH or kidney stones.
8. What is the primary mechanism of action for Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)?
A. Increases sodium reabsorption in the proximal tubule
B. Inhibits renin release
C. Promotes potassium excretion
D. Increases water permeability in the collecting duct
Answer: D
Rationale: ADH (vasopressin) acts on the collecting ducts to increase water reabsorption
via aquaporins.
9. Which electrolyte abnormality is the most life-threatening complication of
AKI?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias and is a critical concern in
renal failure.
1. Which of the following is the primary functional unit of the kidney?
A. Nephron
B. Glomerulus
C. Collecting duct
D. Loop of Henle
Answer: A
Rationale: The nephron is the functional unit of the kidney responsible for filtration,
reabsorption, and secretion.
2. Which hormone is primarily responsible for stimulating red blood cell
production in the bone marrow?
A. Renin
B. Aldosterone
C. Erythropoietin
D. Calcitriol
Answer: C
Rationale: Erythropoietin is produced by the kidneys in response to hypoxia to stimulate
erythropoiesis.
3. Which of the following describes the GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate)?
A. The amount of urine produced per hour
B. The speed at which the bladder empties
C. The volume of plasma filtered through the glomeruli per minute
D. The concentration of urea in the blood
Answer: C
,Rationale: GFR measures the volume of plasma filtered through the glomerular capillaries
into Bowman’s capsule per unit of time.
4. Which acid-base imbalance is most commonly associated with chronic kidney
disease (CKD)?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Metabolic alkalosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: B
Rationale: CKD leads to metabolic acidosis due to the kidneys’ inability to excrete
hydrogen ions and regenerate bicarbonate.
5. What is the most common cause of prerenal acute kidney injury (AKI)?
A. Hypovolemia
B. Bladder outlet obstruction
C. Nephrotoxic drugs
D. Glomerulonephritis
Answer: A
Rationale: Prerenal AKI is caused by decreased blood flow to the kidneys, with
hypovolemia being the most frequent trigger.
6. Nephrotic syndrome is characterized by which of the following clinical
findings?
A. Massive proteinuria and edema
B. Hematuria and hypertension
C. Oliguria and flank pain
D. Pyuria and fever
Answer: A
, Rationale: Nephrotic syndrome involves increased glomerular permeability leading to
massive proteinuria (>3.5g/day), hypoalbuminemia, and edema.
7. A patient with postrenal AKI likely has which of the following conditions?
A. Benign prostatic hyperplasia
B. Renal artery stenosis
C. Acute tubular necrosis
D. Sepsis
Answer: A
Rationale: Postrenal AKI is caused by an obstruction in the urinary tract below the
kidneys, such as BPH or kidney stones.
8. What is the primary mechanism of action for Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)?
A. Increases sodium reabsorption in the proximal tubule
B. Inhibits renin release
C. Promotes potassium excretion
D. Increases water permeability in the collecting duct
Answer: D
Rationale: ADH (vasopressin) acts on the collecting ducts to increase water reabsorption
via aquaporins.
9. Which electrolyte abnormality is the most life-threatening complication of
AKI?
A. Hyponatremia
B. Hyperkalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hypomagnesemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Hyperkalemia can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias and is a critical concern in
renal failure.
