PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 3 PRACTICE
Questions and Answers
1. The nurse working in an outpatient nephrology clinic knows that
which of the following are primary functions of the kidneys? (Select
all that apply.)
A. Production of clotting factors
B. Homeostasis
C. Excretion of metabolic wastes
D. Regulation of acid-base balance
E. Metabolism of fats
ANS B, C, D
The kidneys do not metabolize fats.
Production of clotting factors is a primary function of the liver.
The kidneys maintain blood pressure using the RAAS and also produce erythropoietin to stimulate RBC
production.
2. In caring for a patient diagnosed with acute kidney injury, the
nephrology nurse knows that which of the following tests are
specific for renal function? (Select all that apply.)
A. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
B. Blood urea nitrogen
,C. Creatinine
D. Glomerular filtration rate
E. White blood cell count
ANS B, C, D
AST related to LIVER function
3. In caring for a patient with acute kidney injury the nurse
knows that the patient's renal function has returned to normal
range when the patient's GFR measures
A. 30-40 mL/min
B. 40-50 mL/min
C. 70-90 mL/min
D. 90-120 mL/min
ANS D
Normal GFR is 90-120 mL/min
Normal Creatinine 0.6-1.1 for females and 0.6-1.2 for males
Normal BUN is 10-20 mg/dL
*Be sure to know these normal values, you will use them daily as a nurse
4. The nursing working in a geriatric living facility understands that
as patients age, which change in glomerular filtration rate is
,expected?
A. Increased GFR
B. Decreased GFR
C. Same GFR
D. No GFR
ANS B
Aging and renal function
Decrease in renal blood flow and GFR ’altered sodium and water
balance Number of nephrons decrease due to renal vascular and
perfusion changes Response to acid-base changes is delayed
Increased risk for drug toxicity
Alterations in thirst and water
intake
Get dehydrated very easily; do not recognize thirst and heat
Decreased muscle mass may lead to decreased creatinine
values
5. An older patient is experiencing urinary stasis. The registered nurse
knows
that urinary stasis may lead to which of the following?
A. Increased GFR
B. Hypocoagulation
, C. Hypertension
D. Infection
ANS D
Urinary stasis is a risk factor for developing UTI
6. Which of the following is classified as the most common primary
mineral salt composition of kidney stones?
A. Calcium
B. Struvite
C. Uric Acid
D. Cysteine
ANS A
A - calcium (i.e. oxalate or phosphate) is most common
*Note that a change in urine pH may lead to precipitation of stones
7. Which of the following are risk factors for developing renal tumors?
(Select all that apply.)
A. Female gender
B. Smoking
C. Obesity
D. Diabetes
E. Hypertension
Questions and Answers
1. The nurse working in an outpatient nephrology clinic knows that
which of the following are primary functions of the kidneys? (Select
all that apply.)
A. Production of clotting factors
B. Homeostasis
C. Excretion of metabolic wastes
D. Regulation of acid-base balance
E. Metabolism of fats
ANS B, C, D
The kidneys do not metabolize fats.
Production of clotting factors is a primary function of the liver.
The kidneys maintain blood pressure using the RAAS and also produce erythropoietin to stimulate RBC
production.
2. In caring for a patient diagnosed with acute kidney injury, the
nephrology nurse knows that which of the following tests are
specific for renal function? (Select all that apply.)
A. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
B. Blood urea nitrogen
,C. Creatinine
D. Glomerular filtration rate
E. White blood cell count
ANS B, C, D
AST related to LIVER function
3. In caring for a patient with acute kidney injury the nurse
knows that the patient's renal function has returned to normal
range when the patient's GFR measures
A. 30-40 mL/min
B. 40-50 mL/min
C. 70-90 mL/min
D. 90-120 mL/min
ANS D
Normal GFR is 90-120 mL/min
Normal Creatinine 0.6-1.1 for females and 0.6-1.2 for males
Normal BUN is 10-20 mg/dL
*Be sure to know these normal values, you will use them daily as a nurse
4. The nursing working in a geriatric living facility understands that
as patients age, which change in glomerular filtration rate is
,expected?
A. Increased GFR
B. Decreased GFR
C. Same GFR
D. No GFR
ANS B
Aging and renal function
Decrease in renal blood flow and GFR ’altered sodium and water
balance Number of nephrons decrease due to renal vascular and
perfusion changes Response to acid-base changes is delayed
Increased risk for drug toxicity
Alterations in thirst and water
intake
Get dehydrated very easily; do not recognize thirst and heat
Decreased muscle mass may lead to decreased creatinine
values
5. An older patient is experiencing urinary stasis. The registered nurse
knows
that urinary stasis may lead to which of the following?
A. Increased GFR
B. Hypocoagulation
, C. Hypertension
D. Infection
ANS D
Urinary stasis is a risk factor for developing UTI
6. Which of the following is classified as the most common primary
mineral salt composition of kidney stones?
A. Calcium
B. Struvite
C. Uric Acid
D. Cysteine
ANS A
A - calcium (i.e. oxalate or phosphate) is most common
*Note that a change in urine pH may lead to precipitation of stones
7. Which of the following are risk factors for developing renal tumors?
(Select all that apply.)
A. Female gender
B. Smoking
C. Obesity
D. Diabetes
E. Hypertension
