NURS 6501 Knowledge Check: Module 5

1 of 1 Questions: Describe the pathophysiology of gout. Gout is an inflammatory response to excessive quantities of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia above 6.8mg/dL) and in other body fluids, including synovial fluid. These elevated levels lead to the formation of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in and around joints. Gout is closely linked to purine metabolism and kidney function. At the cellular level, purines are synthesized to purine nucleotides, which are used in the synthesis of nucleic acids, adenosine triphosphate, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). 1 of 2 Questions: Explain why a patient with gout is more likely to develop renal calculi. Renal calculi are caused by too much uric acid in urine and elevated uric acid is the root cause of gout. Renal calculi are more prevalent in people with primary gout than in the general population. Renal calculi comprised of purse monosodium urate, but also may consist of calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate. It can form in the collecting tubules, pelvis, or ureters, causing obstruction, dilation, and atrophy of the more proximal tubules and leading eventually to acute renal failure. 2: What is Lyme disease and what patient factors may have increased his risk developing Lyme disease?