NR507 Pathophysiology Questions and
Answers 2025
Acute renal failure - Correct Ans-Reversible
Determining prognosis- kidneys respond to diuretic with good output; this indicates that
kidneys are functioning well
Acute Pyelonephritis - Correct Ans-Diagnosing by clinical symptoms alone can be
difficult; can be similar to cystitis
Diagnosis established by:
-Urine culture
-Urinalysis (WBC casts indicates pyelonephritis, but may not always be present)
-Signs/Symptoms
-Complicated pyelonephritis requires blood cultures and urinary tract imaging
Renal Calculi (Renal Stones) - Correct Ans-Goals of Treatment:
Manage acute pain
Promote passage of stone
Reduce size of stone
Prevent new stone formation
Chronic Renal Failure - Correct Ans-Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a progressive
loss of renal function associated with systemic disease such as hypertension, diabetes
mellitus (most significant risk factor), systemic lupus erythematosus or intrinsic kidney
disease
CKD stage is determined by estimates of GFR and albuminuria
Who is a candidate for dialysis? - Correct Ans-End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is the
final stage of CKD with the number one cause being diabetes mellitus combined with
hypertension. At this point, the patient is completely dependent on dialysis to survive.
CKD is classified into five stages and is based on the patient's GFR rather than
symptoms.
Patients will need dialysis when the following symptoms are present:
--Metabolic acidosis.
--Hyperkalemia: Hyperkalemia in the presence of EKG changes (peaked T-waves) is an
indication for dialysis. --Hyperkalemia by itself is not an indication for dialysis.
--Drug toxicity: Drug toxicity due to the following drugs is an indication for dialysis and
include salicylates, Lithium, Isopropanol, Methanol and Ethylene glycol).
--Fluid volume overload that is not responsive to diuretics.
--Uremic symptoms due to nitrogenous wastes in the blood stream.
Stage I CKD - Correct Ans-There is kidney damage with normal or elevated GFR
90-120
NR507 Advanced Pathophysiology
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Stage II CKD - Correct Ans-There is kidney damage with mild decrease in GFR
60-89
Stage III CKD - Correct Ans-There is a moderate decrease in GFR
30-59
Stage IV CKD - Correct Ans-There is a severe decrease in GFR
15-29
Stage V CKD - Correct Ans-Kidney failure- End-stage renal disease
<15 (dialysis) Once Stage IV is reached, progression to Stage V is inevitable as well as
dialysis or kidney transplant
Complications of Decreased GFR - Correct Ans-Anemia
Hypertension
Decreased calcium absorption
Hyperlipidemia
Heart failure
Left ventricular hypertrophy
Fluid volume overload
Hyperkalemia
Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperphosphatemia
Metabolic acidosis
Malnutrition (late complication)
GERD - Correct Ans-Warning signs include: Symptoms over age of 50:
-Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
-Odynophagia (pain on swallowing)
-Nausea and vomiting
-Weight loss
-Melena
-Early satiety (feeling full after eating very little food
Hiatal Hernia - Correct Ans-Often asymptomatic
Generally, a wide variety of symptoms develop later in life and are associated with other
GI disorders, primarily GERD
--Sliding hiatal hernia: treatment usually conservative. Individuals can diminish reflux by
eating small, frequent meals and avoiding the recumbent position after eating.
Abdominal supports and tight clothing are avoided and weight control recommended for
obese individuals.
NR507 Advanced Pathophysiology