ATI Med-Surg: Acute and Chronic
Glomerulonephritis Questions with
Correct Answers 2026-2027
Glomerulonephritis - CORRECT ANSWER -
Inflammation of the glomerular capillaries, usually following a streptococcal infection. It is an immu
ne complex disease, not an infection of the kidney.
● Glomerulonephritis exists as an acute, latent, and chronic disease.
Acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) - CORRECT ANSWER -
◯ Insoluble immune complexes develop and become trapped in the glomerular tissue producing s
welling and capillary cell death.
◯ Prognosis varies depending upon the specific cause, but spontaneous recovery generally occurs
after the acute illness.
Chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) - CORRECT ANSWER -
◯ CGN can occur without a previous history or known onset.
◯ This involves the progressive destruction of glomeruli and eventual hardening (sclerosis).
◯ CGN is the third leading cause of end-
stage kidney disease (ESKD), with the prognosis varying depending on the specific cause.
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention - CORRECT ANSWER -
● Consume a diet low in sodium and restrict fluid intake. Consult a health care provider regarding
diet restrictions.
Risk Factors - CORRECT ANSWER -◯ Immunological reactions
■ Primary infection with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection (most common)
■ Systemic lupus erythematosus
, ◯ Vascular injury (hypertension)
◯ Metabolic disease (diabetes mellitus)
◯ Excessively high protein and high sodium diets
◯ Older adult clients may report vague symptoms (nausea, fatigue, joint aches) which may mask
glomerular disease.
◯ Older adult clients tend to have decreased working nephrons and are at increased risk for chro
nic kidney failure.
Clinical Manifestations - CORRECT ANSWER -◯ Renal symptoms
■ Decreased urine output
■ Smoky or coffee-colored urine (hematuria)
■ Proteinuria
◯ Fluid volume excess symptoms
■ Pitting edema in lower extremities
■ Weight gain
■ Shortness of breath
■ Orthopnea
■ Bibasilar rales
■ Periorbital edema
■ Mild to severe hypertension, greater than 140/90 mm Hg
◯ Older adult fluid volume excess symptoms
■ Shortness of breath, distended neck veins, cardiomegaly, and pulmonary edema
■ Rare symptoms of the older adult are confusion, sleepiness, and possible seizures
◯ Changes in the level of consciousness
◯ Anorexia/nausea
◯ Headache
◯ Back pain
◯ Fever (AGN)
◯ Pruritus (CGN)
Glomerulonephritis Questions with
Correct Answers 2026-2027
Glomerulonephritis - CORRECT ANSWER -
Inflammation of the glomerular capillaries, usually following a streptococcal infection. It is an immu
ne complex disease, not an infection of the kidney.
● Glomerulonephritis exists as an acute, latent, and chronic disease.
Acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) - CORRECT ANSWER -
◯ Insoluble immune complexes develop and become trapped in the glomerular tissue producing s
welling and capillary cell death.
◯ Prognosis varies depending upon the specific cause, but spontaneous recovery generally occurs
after the acute illness.
Chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN) - CORRECT ANSWER -
◯ CGN can occur without a previous history or known onset.
◯ This involves the progressive destruction of glomeruli and eventual hardening (sclerosis).
◯ CGN is the third leading cause of end-
stage kidney disease (ESKD), with the prognosis varying depending on the specific cause.
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention - CORRECT ANSWER -
● Consume a diet low in sodium and restrict fluid intake. Consult a health care provider regarding
diet restrictions.
Risk Factors - CORRECT ANSWER -◯ Immunological reactions
■ Primary infection with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection (most common)
■ Systemic lupus erythematosus
, ◯ Vascular injury (hypertension)
◯ Metabolic disease (diabetes mellitus)
◯ Excessively high protein and high sodium diets
◯ Older adult clients may report vague symptoms (nausea, fatigue, joint aches) which may mask
glomerular disease.
◯ Older adult clients tend to have decreased working nephrons and are at increased risk for chro
nic kidney failure.
Clinical Manifestations - CORRECT ANSWER -◯ Renal symptoms
■ Decreased urine output
■ Smoky or coffee-colored urine (hematuria)
■ Proteinuria
◯ Fluid volume excess symptoms
■ Pitting edema in lower extremities
■ Weight gain
■ Shortness of breath
■ Orthopnea
■ Bibasilar rales
■ Periorbital edema
■ Mild to severe hypertension, greater than 140/90 mm Hg
◯ Older adult fluid volume excess symptoms
■ Shortness of breath, distended neck veins, cardiomegaly, and pulmonary edema
■ Rare symptoms of the older adult are confusion, sleepiness, and possible seizures
◯ Changes in the level of consciousness
◯ Anorexia/nausea
◯ Headache
◯ Back pain
◯ Fever (AGN)
◯ Pruritus (CGN)
