Renal Physiology and Kidney Disease Flashcards

Which two diseases account for the majority of ESRD cases in the United States?

Answer: Diabetes mellitus and hypertension

Diabetic nephropathy and hypertensive nephrosclerosis together cause over 60% of new ESRD cases in the US.

What is uremia?

Answer: The syndrome caused by accumulation of uremic toxins when kidneys fail to adequately filter the blood

Uremia is the clinical syndrome resulting from the retention of nitrogenous and other waste products normally excreted by healthy kidneys.

The kidneys play a critical role in vitamin D activation. Which form of vitamin D do the kidneys produce?

Answer: Calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D)

The kidneys convert 25-hydroxyvitamin D to calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D), the active form that regulates calcium absorption and bone metabolism.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism in CKD patients results primarily from:

Answer: Hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia triggering excess PTH secretion

Low calcium and high phosphate levels in CKD chronically stimulate the parathyroid glands, leading to hypertrophy and excess PTH secretion.

Which mechanism does the kidney use to regulate systemic blood pressure?

Answer: The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)

The kidney releases renin, triggering the RAAS cascade that ultimately increases angiotensin II and aldosterone to raise blood pressure and retain sodium.

Residual renal function (RRF) in dialysis patients is important primarily because it:

Answer: Contributes to total solute clearance and fluid removal, improving outcomes

Even small amounts of residual kidney function significantly augment dialysis clearance of uremic toxins and fluid, which is associated with better survival and quality of life.