ATLAND Nursing
Renal System and Disorders
Nursing Study Notes
Overview of Anatomy and Physiology
The main functions of the Renal System
1. Urine formation through filtration, reabsorption, and secretion.
2. Maintain acid-base balance.
3. Maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.
4. Vitamin D synthesis for calcium absorption.
5. Excretion of waste products of metabolism, toxins
6. Secretion of renin that regulates blood pressure.
7. Secrets erythropoietin which acts on the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.
8. Parathyroid hormones regulation.
ATALAND Nursing 1 Nursing Study Notes
,Structure
A. Kidneys
The kidney has four main components:
1. The renal cortex
This is the outer layer, contains glomeruli
2. The medulla
This is the inner region, containing pyramids and renal tubules.
3. Nephrons
These are the functional unit of the kidney
4. Renal pelvis
Collects urine from the calyces.
B. Ureters
Transport produced urine from the kidney to the bladder.
C. Bladder
Receives urine, stores it until it is eliminated.
It has a total capacity of 1L.
Normal urine average output is 1500mL/day.
D. Urethra
Transport urine from the bladder to the outside body through the urethral meatus
E. Prostate gland
Secrets prostatic fluid that is alkaline which protects the sperm.
F. Adrenal glands
Influence sodium and water retention.
Influence blood pressure.
ATALAND Nursing 2 Nursing Study Notes
,Physiology
1. Water homeostasis
This involves antidiuretic hormone (ADH) which stimulates water reabsorption
ADH is secreted from the posterior pituitary gland.
Influenced by dehydration, decreased blood volume, and increased sodium levels.
2. Sodium homeostasis
This involves the aldosterone hormone, which stimulates sodium reabsorption and
potassium excretion.
Renin converts angiotensinogen to angiotensin I, which stimulates angiotensin II
conversion which stimulates the secretion of aldosterone.
This results in water retention.
3. Potassium homeostasis
Increased levels of serum of potassium stimulate aldosterone secretion that results in
potassium secretion.
4. Acidity homeostasis
Normal ratio 7.35-7.45
Carbonic acid is regulated by the respiration system whereas sodium bicarbonate is
regulated by kidneys.
Ammonia neutralizes high carbonic acid levels.
ATALAND Nursing 3 Nursing Study Notes
, Risk factors associated with renal disorders
Medications e.g. aminoglycosides
Trauma
Conditions e.g. diabetes mellitus, hypertension
Genetic predisposition
Nutrition e.g. high sodium intake
Hydration
Infections of the renal system e.g. UTIs, urolithiasis
Assessment
1. History
Obtain a thorough history of the client’s age, pain during micturition, micturition flow, family
history, medications, trauma, amount of urine, intake of water, previous dialysis session,
and urine characteristics.
2. Inspection
Assess the urine characteristics-color, clarity, odor, amount
Urine characteristics
Aspect Normal findings Abnormal findings
Color Amber, pale Dark amber, red, dark orange
Clarity Transparent/ translucent Cloudy, bloody
ATALAND Nursing 4 Nursing Study Notes
Renal System and Disorders
Nursing Study Notes
Overview of Anatomy and Physiology
The main functions of the Renal System
1. Urine formation through filtration, reabsorption, and secretion.
2. Maintain acid-base balance.
3. Maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.
4. Vitamin D synthesis for calcium absorption.
5. Excretion of waste products of metabolism, toxins
6. Secretion of renin that regulates blood pressure.
7. Secrets erythropoietin which acts on the bone marrow to produce red blood cells.
8. Parathyroid hormones regulation.
ATALAND Nursing 1 Nursing Study Notes
,Structure
A. Kidneys
The kidney has four main components:
1. The renal cortex
This is the outer layer, contains glomeruli
2. The medulla
This is the inner region, containing pyramids and renal tubules.
3. Nephrons
These are the functional unit of the kidney
4. Renal pelvis
Collects urine from the calyces.
B. Ureters
Transport produced urine from the kidney to the bladder.
C. Bladder
Receives urine, stores it until it is eliminated.
It has a total capacity of 1L.
Normal urine average output is 1500mL/day.
D. Urethra
Transport urine from the bladder to the outside body through the urethral meatus
E. Prostate gland
Secrets prostatic fluid that is alkaline which protects the sperm.
F. Adrenal glands
Influence sodium and water retention.
Influence blood pressure.
ATALAND Nursing 2 Nursing Study Notes
,Physiology
1. Water homeostasis
This involves antidiuretic hormone (ADH) which stimulates water reabsorption
ADH is secreted from the posterior pituitary gland.
Influenced by dehydration, decreased blood volume, and increased sodium levels.
2. Sodium homeostasis
This involves the aldosterone hormone, which stimulates sodium reabsorption and
potassium excretion.
Renin converts angiotensinogen to angiotensin I, which stimulates angiotensin II
conversion which stimulates the secretion of aldosterone.
This results in water retention.
3. Potassium homeostasis
Increased levels of serum of potassium stimulate aldosterone secretion that results in
potassium secretion.
4. Acidity homeostasis
Normal ratio 7.35-7.45
Carbonic acid is regulated by the respiration system whereas sodium bicarbonate is
regulated by kidneys.
Ammonia neutralizes high carbonic acid levels.
ATALAND Nursing 3 Nursing Study Notes
, Risk factors associated with renal disorders
Medications e.g. aminoglycosides
Trauma
Conditions e.g. diabetes mellitus, hypertension
Genetic predisposition
Nutrition e.g. high sodium intake
Hydration
Infections of the renal system e.g. UTIs, urolithiasis
Assessment
1. History
Obtain a thorough history of the client’s age, pain during micturition, micturition flow, family
history, medications, trauma, amount of urine, intake of water, previous dialysis session,
and urine characteristics.
2. Inspection
Assess the urine characteristics-color, clarity, odor, amount
Urine characteristics
Aspect Normal findings Abnormal findings
Color Amber, pale Dark amber, red, dark orange
Clarity Transparent/ translucent Cloudy, bloody
ATALAND Nursing 4 Nursing Study Notes
