Nephrotic Syndrome Patients Exam
Solved Correctly To Score A+!!!
A 6 year old male is diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome. In your nursing care plan you
will include which of the following as a nursing diagnosis for this patient?
A. Risk for infection
B. Deficient fluid volume
C. Constipation
D. Overflow urinary incontinence CORRECT ANSWERS A ~ A patient with nephrotic
syndrome is at risk for infection due to the potential loss of proteins (immunoglobulins)
in the urine that help fight infection. In addition, medication treatment for nephrotic
syndrome may include corticosteroids or immune suppressors, which will further
suppress the immune system. Option B is wrong because the patient will be
experiencing fluid volume overload (not deficient). Option C and D are wrong because
constipation and overflow urinary incontinence are not common findings with nephrotic
syndrome.
A school-age child has been admitted to the hospital with an exacerbation of nephrotic
syndrome. Which clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to assess? (SATA)
a. Weight loss
b. Facial edema
c. Cloudy smoky brown-colored urine
d. Fatigue
e. Frothy-appearing urine CORRECT ANSWERS B, D, E ~ A child with nephrotic
syndrome will present with facial edema, fatigue, and frothy-appearing urine
(proteinuria). Weight gain, not loss, is expected because of the fluid retention. Cloudy
smoky brown-colored urine is seen with acute glomerulonephritis but not with nephrotic
syndrome because there is no gross hematuria associated with nephrotic syndrome.
List the GFR rates in the different stages of renal failure. CORRECT ANSWERS Stage
1 = <90 mL/min
Stage 2 = <60 mL/min
Stage 3 = <45 mL/min
Stage 4 = <30 mL/min
Stage 5 = <15 mL/min
Which is an objective of care for a 10-year-old child with minimal change nephrotic
syndrome?
a. Reduce blood pressure.
b. Reduce excretion of urinary protein.
c. Increase excretion of urinary protein.
d. Increase ability of tissues to retain fluid. CORRECT ANSWERS B ~ The objectives of
therapy for the child with minimal change nephrotic syndrome include reduction of the
excretion of urinary protein, reduction of fluid retention, prevention of infection, and
, minimization of complications associated with therapy. Blood pressure is usually not
elevated in minimal change nephrotic syndrome. Excretion of urinary protein and fluid
retention are part of the disease process and must be reversed.
What is the normal lab value for Urine Potassium? CORRECT ANSWERS 25-100
mEq/L/day
Which patient below is NOT at risk for developing nephrotic syndrome?
A. An 8 year old male with diabetes mellitus.
B. A 5 year old female diagnosed with minimal change disease.
C. A 10 year old male with Lupus.
D. A 7 year old male recently diagnosed with Goodpasture's Syndrome. CORRECT
ANSWERS D ~ The patients in options A-C are all at risk for nephrotic syndrome. The
patient in option D is at risk for acute glomerulonephritis.
What is the normal lab value for serum ALBUMIN? CORRECT ANSWERS 3.5-5.5 g/dL
Which is instituted for the therapeutic management of minimal change nephrotic
syndrome?
a. Corticosteroids
b. Antihypertensive agents
c. Long-term diuretics
d. Increased fluids to promote diuresis CORRECT ANSWERS A ~ Corticosteroids are
the first line of therapy for minimal change nephrotic syndrome. Response is usually
seen within 7 to 21 days. Antihypertensive agents and long-term diuretic therapy are
usually not necessary. A diet that has fluid and salt restrictions may be indicated.
Which is a common side effect of short-term corticosteroid therapy?
a. Fever
b. Hypertension
c. Weight loss
d. Increased appetite CORRECT ANSWERS D ~ Side effects of short-term
corticosteroid therapy include an increased appetite. Fever is not a side effect of
therapy. It may be an indication of infection. Hypertension is not usually associated with
initial corticosteroid therapy. Weight gain, not weight loss, is associated with
corticosteroid therapy.
What is the normal lab value for Urine Sodium? CORRECT ANSWERS 40-220
mEq/day
You're collecting a urine sample on a patient who is experiencing proteinuria due to
nephrotic syndrome. As the nurse, you know the urine will appear:
A. Tea-colored
B. Orange and frothy
C. Dark and foamy
Solved Correctly To Score A+!!!
A 6 year old male is diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome. In your nursing care plan you
will include which of the following as a nursing diagnosis for this patient?
A. Risk for infection
B. Deficient fluid volume
C. Constipation
D. Overflow urinary incontinence CORRECT ANSWERS A ~ A patient with nephrotic
syndrome is at risk for infection due to the potential loss of proteins (immunoglobulins)
in the urine that help fight infection. In addition, medication treatment for nephrotic
syndrome may include corticosteroids or immune suppressors, which will further
suppress the immune system. Option B is wrong because the patient will be
experiencing fluid volume overload (not deficient). Option C and D are wrong because
constipation and overflow urinary incontinence are not common findings with nephrotic
syndrome.
A school-age child has been admitted to the hospital with an exacerbation of nephrotic
syndrome. Which clinical manifestations should the nurse expect to assess? (SATA)
a. Weight loss
b. Facial edema
c. Cloudy smoky brown-colored urine
d. Fatigue
e. Frothy-appearing urine CORRECT ANSWERS B, D, E ~ A child with nephrotic
syndrome will present with facial edema, fatigue, and frothy-appearing urine
(proteinuria). Weight gain, not loss, is expected because of the fluid retention. Cloudy
smoky brown-colored urine is seen with acute glomerulonephritis but not with nephrotic
syndrome because there is no gross hematuria associated with nephrotic syndrome.
List the GFR rates in the different stages of renal failure. CORRECT ANSWERS Stage
1 = <90 mL/min
Stage 2 = <60 mL/min
Stage 3 = <45 mL/min
Stage 4 = <30 mL/min
Stage 5 = <15 mL/min
Which is an objective of care for a 10-year-old child with minimal change nephrotic
syndrome?
a. Reduce blood pressure.
b. Reduce excretion of urinary protein.
c. Increase excretion of urinary protein.
d. Increase ability of tissues to retain fluid. CORRECT ANSWERS B ~ The objectives of
therapy for the child with minimal change nephrotic syndrome include reduction of the
excretion of urinary protein, reduction of fluid retention, prevention of infection, and
, minimization of complications associated with therapy. Blood pressure is usually not
elevated in minimal change nephrotic syndrome. Excretion of urinary protein and fluid
retention are part of the disease process and must be reversed.
What is the normal lab value for Urine Potassium? CORRECT ANSWERS 25-100
mEq/L/day
Which patient below is NOT at risk for developing nephrotic syndrome?
A. An 8 year old male with diabetes mellitus.
B. A 5 year old female diagnosed with minimal change disease.
C. A 10 year old male with Lupus.
D. A 7 year old male recently diagnosed with Goodpasture's Syndrome. CORRECT
ANSWERS D ~ The patients in options A-C are all at risk for nephrotic syndrome. The
patient in option D is at risk for acute glomerulonephritis.
What is the normal lab value for serum ALBUMIN? CORRECT ANSWERS 3.5-5.5 g/dL
Which is instituted for the therapeutic management of minimal change nephrotic
syndrome?
a. Corticosteroids
b. Antihypertensive agents
c. Long-term diuretics
d. Increased fluids to promote diuresis CORRECT ANSWERS A ~ Corticosteroids are
the first line of therapy for minimal change nephrotic syndrome. Response is usually
seen within 7 to 21 days. Antihypertensive agents and long-term diuretic therapy are
usually not necessary. A diet that has fluid and salt restrictions may be indicated.
Which is a common side effect of short-term corticosteroid therapy?
a. Fever
b. Hypertension
c. Weight loss
d. Increased appetite CORRECT ANSWERS D ~ Side effects of short-term
corticosteroid therapy include an increased appetite. Fever is not a side effect of
therapy. It may be an indication of infection. Hypertension is not usually associated with
initial corticosteroid therapy. Weight gain, not weight loss, is associated with
corticosteroid therapy.
What is the normal lab value for Urine Sodium? CORRECT ANSWERS 40-220
mEq/day
You're collecting a urine sample on a patient who is experiencing proteinuria due to
nephrotic syndrome. As the nurse, you know the urine will appear:
A. Tea-colored
B. Orange and frothy
C. Dark and foamy
