NR 341: Week 4 Summary

NR 341: Week 4 SummaryAcute Kidney and Chronic Kidney Disease; Shock, Sepsis, and Multiple Organ Dysfunction Acute Kidney Injury: It is the SUDDEN decrease in renal function that will lead to the buildup of waste in the blood, fluid overload, and electrolyte imbalances. AKI can be reversible. Role of the kidneys: Filters the blood which creates a filtrate called urine. In addition, the kidneys regulate electrolyte levels, removes waste, and excessive fluid in the body. The kidneys normally do NOT filter blood cells or proteins. An adult normally voids 1-2 liters of urine per day How do the kidneys create urine: Via the nephrons in the kidneys (the heart also plays a role in this, specifically the blood flow given by the heart to supply the kidneys with blood). Each kidney contains millions of nephrons. Each nephron receives fresh blood from the heart via an afferent arteriole. The nephron consists of two main parts: • Renal Corpuscle (function is to FILTER the blood and create filtrate..hence urine) o Glomerulus o Bowman ’s capsule • Renal Tubule (function is to REABSORB and SECRETE substances IN or OUT of the filtrate with the assistance of the peritubular capillaries) • Proximal Convoluted Tubule • Loop of Henle • Distal Convoluted Tubule • Collecting Tubule *In conclusion, there is the flow of substances back in forth from the nephron to the peritubular capillaries (circulation) until the filtrate is how the body wants it, and then it will leave the body as urine. Therefore, the tubules are crucial in deciding what should stay or go back into circulation. HOWEVER, when the nephrons are damaged as in INTRARENAL failure this mechanism is damaged and the patient will experience electrolyte imbalances, decreased glomerular filtration rate, decreased urinary output, azotemia (increase of BUN and creatinine in the blood…waste products).