FRESENIUS RN NURSE STUDY EXAM GUIDE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔The functions of the kidney include: removal of waste products such as _______,
_______, and ________. The kidney also regulate ______, ______, and _______. -
✔✔removal of: creatinine, urea, uric acid
regulate: fluid, acid base, electrolytes
✔✔The kidney also has hormonal functions that include: production of renin to help
regulate ________; production of erythropoietin, which stimulates bone marrow for
__________; and the regulation of calcium/phosphorus balance through the activation
of ________, which enables us to absorb our dietary calcium, thereby promoting
continued good bone health. - ✔✔blood pressure, red blood cell production, vitamin D
✔✔This is the functional unit in the kidney, it filters blood to form urine. - ✔✔Nephron
✔✔This is a network (tuft) of capillaries that performs the 1st step of filtering blood. -
✔✔glomerulus
✔✔What is the synthetic form of Erythropoietin? - ✔✔The synthetic form of
erythropoietin is called Recombinant Epoetin Alfa (Epogen), a drug given by licensed
nursing staff to dialysis patient, to treat anemia
✔✔What is the synthetic form of Vitamin D? - ✔✔Calcitriol is the activated form.
Calcijex, Zemplar, and Hectorol (all synthetic calcitriol) are medications used in treating
bone disease for hemodialysis patients.
✔✔What are the 3 main causes of renal failure? - ✔✔1. diabetic nephropathy (damage
to kidney caused by diabetes)
2. hypertension
3. Other: polycystic kidney disease, lupus, AIDS, Drug toxicity, interstitial nephritis, etc
✔✔Name 6 classic signs and symptoms of renal failure: - ✔✔elevated bun/creatinine,
phosphorus, and potassium, anemia, fluid overload, lethargy, weakness, headache,
edema, yellow-gray appearance of skin, high bp, itching, loss of appetite, fatigue,
nausea, restlessness, mental changes, shortness of breath, proteinuria, nerve damage
✔✔What is the GFR for stage 1 of kidney disease? - ✔✔90+
✔✔What is the GFR for stage 5 of kidney disease? - ✔✔<15
✔✔When kidney function is impaired, the harmful buildup of waste products in the
bloodstream is called... - ✔✔uremia
, ✔✔The kidneys control acid/base balance by excreting ________ and by producing a
buffer known as ________. When kidneys fail to work it can result in _________.
Dialysis contains the buffer _______ and help treat __________. - ✔✔hydrogen atoms,
bicarbonate, metabolic acidosis, sodium bicarbonate, metabolic acidosis
✔✔Why should consideration be taken when administering medication to renal
patients? - ✔✔Because the loss of renal function will DECREASE the elimination of
medications and potentially cause toxicity
✔✔Why is a phosphate binder given to dialysis patients? - ✔✔Dialysis is very inefficient
at removing phosphorus. Phosphate binders are prescribed in order to control a
patient's phosphorus level.
✔✔How does a phosphate binder work? - ✔✔A phosphate binder works by binding with
phosphorus (from foods) in the gut, and then eliminating the excess phosphorus
through the digestive system.
✔✔The following are all examples of what? Tums, Amphojel, Alucaps, Renagel,
Renvela, and Phoslo - ✔✔Phosphate binders
✔✔Adequate ______ are essential for Epogen to be effective. It help the RBC mature
and formulate hemoglobin - ✔✔Iron stores
✔✔The following are examples of what? Venofer, Ferrlicit, Infed - ✔✔Intravenous Iron
supplement
✔✔What is the desired hemoglobin level for HD patients according to the FMS policy? -
✔✔10-11 g/dl (gram/deciliter)
✔✔There is evidence that certain medications such as lisinopril, a _______ can slow
the progression of kidney disease. - ✔✔beta-blocker
✔✔According to the American Diabetes Association:
Fasting glucose level=______
Glucose 2 hrs post eating=_______
For individual patient always _____ - ✔✔70-130 mg/dl
Less than 180 mg/dl as peak
Check with the physician to obtain high and low limits as lab values may vary
✔✔What are 3 signs and symptoms of low blood sugar? - ✔✔double vision, hunger,
thirst, restlessness, rapid pulse, confusion, seizure, coma
AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔The functions of the kidney include: removal of waste products such as _______,
_______, and ________. The kidney also regulate ______, ______, and _______. -
✔✔removal of: creatinine, urea, uric acid
regulate: fluid, acid base, electrolytes
✔✔The kidney also has hormonal functions that include: production of renin to help
regulate ________; production of erythropoietin, which stimulates bone marrow for
__________; and the regulation of calcium/phosphorus balance through the activation
of ________, which enables us to absorb our dietary calcium, thereby promoting
continued good bone health. - ✔✔blood pressure, red blood cell production, vitamin D
✔✔This is the functional unit in the kidney, it filters blood to form urine. - ✔✔Nephron
✔✔This is a network (tuft) of capillaries that performs the 1st step of filtering blood. -
✔✔glomerulus
✔✔What is the synthetic form of Erythropoietin? - ✔✔The synthetic form of
erythropoietin is called Recombinant Epoetin Alfa (Epogen), a drug given by licensed
nursing staff to dialysis patient, to treat anemia
✔✔What is the synthetic form of Vitamin D? - ✔✔Calcitriol is the activated form.
Calcijex, Zemplar, and Hectorol (all synthetic calcitriol) are medications used in treating
bone disease for hemodialysis patients.
✔✔What are the 3 main causes of renal failure? - ✔✔1. diabetic nephropathy (damage
to kidney caused by diabetes)
2. hypertension
3. Other: polycystic kidney disease, lupus, AIDS, Drug toxicity, interstitial nephritis, etc
✔✔Name 6 classic signs and symptoms of renal failure: - ✔✔elevated bun/creatinine,
phosphorus, and potassium, anemia, fluid overload, lethargy, weakness, headache,
edema, yellow-gray appearance of skin, high bp, itching, loss of appetite, fatigue,
nausea, restlessness, mental changes, shortness of breath, proteinuria, nerve damage
✔✔What is the GFR for stage 1 of kidney disease? - ✔✔90+
✔✔What is the GFR for stage 5 of kidney disease? - ✔✔<15
✔✔When kidney function is impaired, the harmful buildup of waste products in the
bloodstream is called... - ✔✔uremia
, ✔✔The kidneys control acid/base balance by excreting ________ and by producing a
buffer known as ________. When kidneys fail to work it can result in _________.
Dialysis contains the buffer _______ and help treat __________. - ✔✔hydrogen atoms,
bicarbonate, metabolic acidosis, sodium bicarbonate, metabolic acidosis
✔✔Why should consideration be taken when administering medication to renal
patients? - ✔✔Because the loss of renal function will DECREASE the elimination of
medications and potentially cause toxicity
✔✔Why is a phosphate binder given to dialysis patients? - ✔✔Dialysis is very inefficient
at removing phosphorus. Phosphate binders are prescribed in order to control a
patient's phosphorus level.
✔✔How does a phosphate binder work? - ✔✔A phosphate binder works by binding with
phosphorus (from foods) in the gut, and then eliminating the excess phosphorus
through the digestive system.
✔✔The following are all examples of what? Tums, Amphojel, Alucaps, Renagel,
Renvela, and Phoslo - ✔✔Phosphate binders
✔✔Adequate ______ are essential for Epogen to be effective. It help the RBC mature
and formulate hemoglobin - ✔✔Iron stores
✔✔The following are examples of what? Venofer, Ferrlicit, Infed - ✔✔Intravenous Iron
supplement
✔✔What is the desired hemoglobin level for HD patients according to the FMS policy? -
✔✔10-11 g/dl (gram/deciliter)
✔✔There is evidence that certain medications such as lisinopril, a _______ can slow
the progression of kidney disease. - ✔✔beta-blocker
✔✔According to the American Diabetes Association:
Fasting glucose level=______
Glucose 2 hrs post eating=_______
For individual patient always _____ - ✔✔70-130 mg/dl
Less than 180 mg/dl as peak
Check with the physician to obtain high and low limits as lab values may vary
✔✔What are 3 signs and symptoms of low blood sugar? - ✔✔double vision, hunger,
thirst, restlessness, rapid pulse, confusion, seizure, coma
