Anatomic and Physiologic of Urinary System:
The urinary system consist of (2) kidneys, (2) ureters, (1) bladder, and (1)
urethra.
Kidneys:
- Located (behind and outside the peritoneal cavity) on the posterior wall of the
abdomen from the 12th thoracic vertebra to the 3rd lumbar vertebra in the adult.
- Adult kidney weighs 120 to 170 g, and is 12 cm (about 4.5 inches) long, 6 cm
wide and 2.5 cm thick.
- Each kidney contains about 1 million nephrons, the functional units of the
kidney.
The ureters: are narrow, muscular tubes, each 24 to 30 cm long, that originates
at the lower portion of the renal pelvis and terminate to urinary bladder.
The bladder is a muscular, hollow sac located just behind the pubic bone.
Adult bladder capacity is about (300
300 to 600 mL) of urine.
The urethra arises from the base of the bladder: In the male, it passes through
the penis; in the female, it opens just anterior to the vagina. In the male, the
prostate gland, which lies just below the bladder neck, surrounds the urethra
posteriorly and laterally.
Lecture (4) Adult Nursing II
, Function of the kidney:
1. Urine formation
2. Excretion of waste products
3. Regulation of electrolytes
4. Regulation of acid-base balance
5. Control of water balance
6. Control of blood pressure
7. Renal clearance
8. Regulation of red blood cell production
9. Synthesis of vitamin D to active form
10.Secretion of prostaglandins
Characteristics of Normal Urine:
Color: yellow-amber but varies according to recent diet and the concentration
of the urine or drug use or disease condition.
Smell: (or "odor"), is similar to ammonia.
Acidity: pH is ranged from 4.6 - 8, a typical average being around 6.0.
Acidity
Density: Density is also known as "specific gravity". Is 1.010 to 1.025
Quantity: 1.5- 2.5 L/day up to 4 L/day.
Urine is sterile. Free from WBCs, RBCs, pathogens, Glucose, protein, and pus
cells.
Assessment and Diagnostic Tests:
A. Urinalysis: urine examination includes the following:
- Urine color, clarity and odor.
- Urine pH and specific gravity.
- To detect protein, glucose, and ketone bodies in urine (proteinuria,
glycosuria, and ketonuria).
- To detect RBCs (hematuria), white blood cells, crystals (crystalluria), pus
(pyuria), and bacteria (bacteriuria).
Lecture (4) Adult Nursing II