NUR 122 Exam 3 Q&A – Renal and Urinary System: Lab Values, Kidney Function,
and Diagnostic Testing
WBC in urine- infection No leukocytes (none should be present) - general infection. Burning
No nitrate should be present - kidney infection pyelonephritis
Cass and crystal in urine could mean kidney stone
Bacteria in urine- needs to be less then 1,000 • No parasite
If leukocytes or nitrates are suspected in urine do a Culture/sensitivity test
***Over 10,000 organisms/ ml indicates a UTI*** (Anything less for a culture is normal)
Creatinine over 1.3 = bad kidney (higher creatinine = higher kidney impairment) ***Most
critical kidney value**** clogging of muscle waste indicating kidney failure or kidney injury.
BUN (high) 10- max 20= kidneys aren't working well
Bun is high = body is dry
Urine output 30ml or less = kidneys are in distress, kidney disease
Glomerular filtration rate 60 or higher - 60% of the kidneys are working.
GFR Lower than 60 may mean kidney disease.
,GFR Lower than 15 is kidney failure.
Decreased GFR is seen with metabolic acidosis
Hydrogen ions turn the blood acidic, and poor kidney function doesn't excrete the waste,
leading to high levels of hydrogen ions.
End stage renal failure you cannot get a urine sample. Look for the following; glomerular
filtration, BUN, creatinine, albumin, potassium, dialysis shunt, bruit
Erythropoietin is the hormone primarily produced by the kidneys. It tells the bone marrow
to create red blood cells. RBC carry O2 from the lungs to the rest of the body.
Decreased erythropoietin secretion leads to Anemia
Anemia often develops in the early stages of kidney disease and gets worse as kidney
disease progresses.
Antibody test post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Immunity builds up after damaging
strep throat infection has traveled down to the kidneys causing massive irritation and
inflammation resulting in glomerulonephritis.
Renin (RAAS) The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is a series of reactions designed to
help regulate blood pressure. When blood pressure falls (for systolic, to 100 mm Hg or lower),
the kidneys release the enzyme renin into the bloodstream
Elevated renin (RAAS) kidneys are causing hypertension
, Renin retains fluid in the body
Bladder ultrasound • Above pelvis, aims towards feet
• The bladder needs to be full to use the ultrasound
Renal blood flow (RBF) autoregulation is a vital homeostatic mechanism that protects the
kidney from elevations in arterial pressure that would be transmitted to the glomerular
capillaries and cause injury.
Characteristics of genitourinary pain • Hematuria, a condition in which blood is present in
the urine.
• Inability to urinate.
• Lower rib fractures.
• Fractures to the pelvic bone.
• Pain and/or bruising involving a person's side, groin or scrotum
Cystoscopy teaching You may have visible blood in the urine typically 24-48 hours and may
last longer.
• You may have burning and difficulty voiding typically 24-48 hours and may last longer.
• For the next 24-48 hours increase fluids (especially water).
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, spicy and acidic foods.
Glycosuria is a condition in which a person's urine contains more sugar, or glucose, than it
should. It typically occurs due to high blood sugar levels or kidney damage.
and Diagnostic Testing
WBC in urine- infection No leukocytes (none should be present) - general infection. Burning
No nitrate should be present - kidney infection pyelonephritis
Cass and crystal in urine could mean kidney stone
Bacteria in urine- needs to be less then 1,000 • No parasite
If leukocytes or nitrates are suspected in urine do a Culture/sensitivity test
***Over 10,000 organisms/ ml indicates a UTI*** (Anything less for a culture is normal)
Creatinine over 1.3 = bad kidney (higher creatinine = higher kidney impairment) ***Most
critical kidney value**** clogging of muscle waste indicating kidney failure or kidney injury.
BUN (high) 10- max 20= kidneys aren't working well
Bun is high = body is dry
Urine output 30ml or less = kidneys are in distress, kidney disease
Glomerular filtration rate 60 or higher - 60% of the kidneys are working.
GFR Lower than 60 may mean kidney disease.
,GFR Lower than 15 is kidney failure.
Decreased GFR is seen with metabolic acidosis
Hydrogen ions turn the blood acidic, and poor kidney function doesn't excrete the waste,
leading to high levels of hydrogen ions.
End stage renal failure you cannot get a urine sample. Look for the following; glomerular
filtration, BUN, creatinine, albumin, potassium, dialysis shunt, bruit
Erythropoietin is the hormone primarily produced by the kidneys. It tells the bone marrow
to create red blood cells. RBC carry O2 from the lungs to the rest of the body.
Decreased erythropoietin secretion leads to Anemia
Anemia often develops in the early stages of kidney disease and gets worse as kidney
disease progresses.
Antibody test post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. Immunity builds up after damaging
strep throat infection has traveled down to the kidneys causing massive irritation and
inflammation resulting in glomerulonephritis.
Renin (RAAS) The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is a series of reactions designed to
help regulate blood pressure. When blood pressure falls (for systolic, to 100 mm Hg or lower),
the kidneys release the enzyme renin into the bloodstream
Elevated renin (RAAS) kidneys are causing hypertension
, Renin retains fluid in the body
Bladder ultrasound • Above pelvis, aims towards feet
• The bladder needs to be full to use the ultrasound
Renal blood flow (RBF) autoregulation is a vital homeostatic mechanism that protects the
kidney from elevations in arterial pressure that would be transmitted to the glomerular
capillaries and cause injury.
Characteristics of genitourinary pain • Hematuria, a condition in which blood is present in
the urine.
• Inability to urinate.
• Lower rib fractures.
• Fractures to the pelvic bone.
• Pain and/or bruising involving a person's side, groin or scrotum
Cystoscopy teaching You may have visible blood in the urine typically 24-48 hours and may
last longer.
• You may have burning and difficulty voiding typically 24-48 hours and may last longer.
• For the next 24-48 hours increase fluids (especially water).
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, spicy and acidic foods.
Glycosuria is a condition in which a person's urine contains more sugar, or glucose, than it
should. It typically occurs due to high blood sugar levels or kidney damage.
