2024/2025 Renal System Review Study CCRN- Critical
Care Registered Nurse Questions Completely Answered
100% Correct/Pass
Main functions of renal system - ANSWERfiltration
reabsorption
secretion
Other important functions of renal system - ANSWERAcid/base balance
BP regulation
Erythropoietin (hormone that regulates red blood cell production in response to low
oxygen levels in the blood)
How much cardiac output goes to the kidneys? - ANSWERabout 20%
glomerulus - ANSWERsmall network of capillaries encased in the upper end of a
nephron; where the filtration of blood takes place
proximal convoluted tubule - ANSWERfirst section of the renal tubule that the blood
flows through; reabsorption of water, sodium, amino acids, and glucose
Loop of Henle - ANSWERsection of the nephron tubule that reabsorbs water and
Na+, and concentrates urine
distal convoluted tubule - ANSWERRegulates pH, K+, Na+, and Ca+
collecting duct - ANSWERthe location in the kidney where urine is collected from the
nephrons
How is is fluid balance regulated by the kidneys? - ANSWERThirst
ADH
Aldosterone - elevated K+ triggers release of aldosterone
Atria Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) - overstretch of the atria
RAAS - renin angiotensin aldosterone system
Azotemia - ANSWERacute increase in BUN
Normal UOP - ANSWER0.5 ml/kg/hr
Anuria - ANSWERabsence of urine production, <100 ml/day
Oliguria - ANSWERDecreased urine output less than 400 mL in 24 hours
Polyuria - ANSWERexcessive urination of >2500 ml/day
, Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) - ANSWER- the amount of glomerular filtrate
formed in the kidneys per minute
- used to evaluate kidneys ability to remove waste products from the body
- estimated by creatinine clearance
- normal - 80-120 ml/min (males slightly higher)
urine casts - ANSWER- Cylindrical structures formed by the kidneys in certain disease
states
-Released from the distal tubule & collecting ducts
-Detected on urinalysis
What is a key characteristic of AKI? - ANSWERAn abrupt decrease in the glomerular
filtration rate
Is AKI reversible if treated promptly? - ANSWERYes
What are the consequences of AKI? - ANSWERRetention of metabolic waste, fluid
overload, electrolyte imbalance, and acidosis
risk factors for developing an AKI - ANSWERElderly
female
HF
baseline renal function
Elevated BMI
COPD
Liver disease
sepsis
GI Bleeding
burns
medications - vanco, gent, antivirals
Multi-system organ failure
hypotension
trauma injury
rhabdo
IV contrast induced
labs in AKI - ANSWER- BUN & Creatinine: elevated
- normal BUN/Cr ratio - 10:1 - 15:1
- GFR: decreased
- Proteinuria, albuminuria
- casts - tubular cell death
- Urine specific gravity: elevated
- Urine Na+ - 40-100 mEq/L
- Urine glucoses
Post-renal AKI - ANSWERinjury caused by disruption of urine flow
think obstruction
Care Registered Nurse Questions Completely Answered
100% Correct/Pass
Main functions of renal system - ANSWERfiltration
reabsorption
secretion
Other important functions of renal system - ANSWERAcid/base balance
BP regulation
Erythropoietin (hormone that regulates red blood cell production in response to low
oxygen levels in the blood)
How much cardiac output goes to the kidneys? - ANSWERabout 20%
glomerulus - ANSWERsmall network of capillaries encased in the upper end of a
nephron; where the filtration of blood takes place
proximal convoluted tubule - ANSWERfirst section of the renal tubule that the blood
flows through; reabsorption of water, sodium, amino acids, and glucose
Loop of Henle - ANSWERsection of the nephron tubule that reabsorbs water and
Na+, and concentrates urine
distal convoluted tubule - ANSWERRegulates pH, K+, Na+, and Ca+
collecting duct - ANSWERthe location in the kidney where urine is collected from the
nephrons
How is is fluid balance regulated by the kidneys? - ANSWERThirst
ADH
Aldosterone - elevated K+ triggers release of aldosterone
Atria Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) - overstretch of the atria
RAAS - renin angiotensin aldosterone system
Azotemia - ANSWERacute increase in BUN
Normal UOP - ANSWER0.5 ml/kg/hr
Anuria - ANSWERabsence of urine production, <100 ml/day
Oliguria - ANSWERDecreased urine output less than 400 mL in 24 hours
Polyuria - ANSWERexcessive urination of >2500 ml/day
, Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) - ANSWER- the amount of glomerular filtrate
formed in the kidneys per minute
- used to evaluate kidneys ability to remove waste products from the body
- estimated by creatinine clearance
- normal - 80-120 ml/min (males slightly higher)
urine casts - ANSWER- Cylindrical structures formed by the kidneys in certain disease
states
-Released from the distal tubule & collecting ducts
-Detected on urinalysis
What is a key characteristic of AKI? - ANSWERAn abrupt decrease in the glomerular
filtration rate
Is AKI reversible if treated promptly? - ANSWERYes
What are the consequences of AKI? - ANSWERRetention of metabolic waste, fluid
overload, electrolyte imbalance, and acidosis
risk factors for developing an AKI - ANSWERElderly
female
HF
baseline renal function
Elevated BMI
COPD
Liver disease
sepsis
GI Bleeding
burns
medications - vanco, gent, antivirals
Multi-system organ failure
hypotension
trauma injury
rhabdo
IV contrast induced
labs in AKI - ANSWER- BUN & Creatinine: elevated
- normal BUN/Cr ratio - 10:1 - 15:1
- GFR: decreased
- Proteinuria, albuminuria
- casts - tubular cell death
- Urine specific gravity: elevated
- Urine Na+ - 40-100 mEq/L
- Urine glucoses
Post-renal AKI - ANSWERinjury caused by disruption of urine flow
think obstruction
