MEDICAL–SURGICAL NURSING
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RENAL SYSTEM – COMPLETE DETAILED NOTES (PDF
LEVEL)
🧠 I. OVERVIEW OF KIDNEYS
📍 Anatomy
● Two kidneys, bean-shaped
● Located retroperitoneally at T12–L3 level
● Right kidney slightly lower (due to liver)
🧬 Functional Unit: Nephron
Each kidney contains ~1 million nephrons
Parts of nephron:
● Glomerulus
● Bowman’s capsule
● Proximal convoluted tubule (PCT)
● Loop of Henle
● Distal convoluted tubule (DCT)
● Collecting duct
⚙️ Functions of Kidneys
● Excretion of metabolic wastes (urea, creatinine)
● Regulation of fluid & electrolyte balance
● Acid–base balance
● Blood pressure regulation (Renin)
● RBC production (Erythropoietin)
, ● Vitamin D activation (Calcitriol)
📌 MCQ: Hormone secreted by kidney for RBC production → Erythropoietin
🧪 II. RENAL LAB VALUES (VERY HIGH-YIELD)
🔬 1. BLOOD TESTS
Test Normal Value
Serum 0.6 – 1.3
Creatinine mg/dL
Blood Urea 15 – 45 mg/dL
BUN 7 – 20 mg/dL
GFR > 90 mL/min
Uric Acid 3.5 – 7 mg/dL
📌 MCQ: Best indicator of kidney function → GFR
🧪 2. ELECTROLYTES AFFECTED IN RENAL DISEASE
Electrolyt Normal Change in Renal
e Failure
( Get daily nursing PDFs & exam-focused notes here - https://t.me/pwnursing )
RENAL SYSTEM – COMPLETE DETAILED NOTES (PDF
LEVEL)
🧠 I. OVERVIEW OF KIDNEYS
📍 Anatomy
● Two kidneys, bean-shaped
● Located retroperitoneally at T12–L3 level
● Right kidney slightly lower (due to liver)
🧬 Functional Unit: Nephron
Each kidney contains ~1 million nephrons
Parts of nephron:
● Glomerulus
● Bowman’s capsule
● Proximal convoluted tubule (PCT)
● Loop of Henle
● Distal convoluted tubule (DCT)
● Collecting duct
⚙️ Functions of Kidneys
● Excretion of metabolic wastes (urea, creatinine)
● Regulation of fluid & electrolyte balance
● Acid–base balance
● Blood pressure regulation (Renin)
● RBC production (Erythropoietin)
, ● Vitamin D activation (Calcitriol)
📌 MCQ: Hormone secreted by kidney for RBC production → Erythropoietin
🧪 II. RENAL LAB VALUES (VERY HIGH-YIELD)
🔬 1. BLOOD TESTS
Test Normal Value
Serum 0.6 – 1.3
Creatinine mg/dL
Blood Urea 15 – 45 mg/dL
BUN 7 – 20 mg/dL
GFR > 90 mL/min
Uric Acid 3.5 – 7 mg/dL
📌 MCQ: Best indicator of kidney function → GFR
🧪 2. ELECTROLYTES AFFECTED IN RENAL DISEASE
Electrolyt Normal Change in Renal
e Failure