NU PATHO UNIT 6 KEY CONCEPTS AND
REVISION NOTES
◉ Acute tubular necrosis (ATN)
Answer: Intrinsic kidney injury caused by tubular cell damage
from ischemia or nephrotoxic substances.
◉ Major cause of ATN emphasized in lecture
Answer: Sepsis. Vasodilation decreases renal perfusion and
contributes to ischemic tubular injury.
◉ Nephrotoxic medications
Answer: Aminoglycosides, NSAIDs, amphotericin B, cisplatin,
tetracycline, and contrast dye can contribute to intrarenal
injury/ATN.
◉ Hydronephrosis
Answer: Dilation of the renal pelvis caused by urinary obstruction
and backed-up urine. Prolonged obstruction can cause ischemia,
AKI, and ATN.
◉ Renal calculi pathophysiology
Answer: Urine becomes supersaturated with a solute → crystals
form → crystals aggregate → stone develops. Dehydration
promotes this by concentrating the urine.
, ◉ Kidney stone classic manifestation
Answer: Severe spasmodic, intermittent, sharp renal colic, usually
when a stone moves into the ureter; commonly accompanied by
hematuria.
◉ Kidney stone associated symptoms
Answer: Flank pain, nausea, vomiting, diaphoresis, tachycardia,
tachypnea, and hematuria.
◉ Kidney stone pain clue
Answer: Pain usually decreases once the stone reaches the
bladder.
◉ Kidney stone prevention concept
Answer: Adequate fluid intake keeps urine diluted and inhibits
crystallization; lecture recommends about 2 L water/day.
◉ ARPKD
Answer: Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease usually
presents in the NEONATAL period with enlarged kidneys, severe
hypertension, and possible respiratory distress from pulmonary
hypoplasia.
◉ ADPKD
REVISION NOTES
◉ Acute tubular necrosis (ATN)
Answer: Intrinsic kidney injury caused by tubular cell damage
from ischemia or nephrotoxic substances.
◉ Major cause of ATN emphasized in lecture
Answer: Sepsis. Vasodilation decreases renal perfusion and
contributes to ischemic tubular injury.
◉ Nephrotoxic medications
Answer: Aminoglycosides, NSAIDs, amphotericin B, cisplatin,
tetracycline, and contrast dye can contribute to intrarenal
injury/ATN.
◉ Hydronephrosis
Answer: Dilation of the renal pelvis caused by urinary obstruction
and backed-up urine. Prolonged obstruction can cause ischemia,
AKI, and ATN.
◉ Renal calculi pathophysiology
Answer: Urine becomes supersaturated with a solute → crystals
form → crystals aggregate → stone develops. Dehydration
promotes this by concentrating the urine.
, ◉ Kidney stone classic manifestation
Answer: Severe spasmodic, intermittent, sharp renal colic, usually
when a stone moves into the ureter; commonly accompanied by
hematuria.
◉ Kidney stone associated symptoms
Answer: Flank pain, nausea, vomiting, diaphoresis, tachycardia,
tachypnea, and hematuria.
◉ Kidney stone pain clue
Answer: Pain usually decreases once the stone reaches the
bladder.
◉ Kidney stone prevention concept
Answer: Adequate fluid intake keeps urine diluted and inhibits
crystallization; lecture recommends about 2 L water/day.
◉ ARPKD
Answer: Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease usually
presents in the NEONATAL period with enlarged kidneys, severe
hypertension, and possible respiratory distress from pulmonary
hypoplasia.
◉ ADPKD
