CHBT Renal Physiology and Kidney Disease 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is the primary functional unit of the kidney?
- Nephron (Correct answer)
- Glomerulus
- Loop of Henle
- Collecting duct
Correct answer: Nephron
The nephron is the basic structural and functional unit of the kidney, responsible for filtration, reabsorption, secretion, and excretion.
Question 2: What is the normal range for glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in a healthy adult?
- 90–120 mL/min/1.73 m² (Correct answer)
- 30–60 mL/min/1.73 m²
- 10–29 mL/min/1.73 m²
- Less than 15 mL/min/1.73 m²
Correct answer: 90–120 mL/min/1.73 m²
A normal GFR is approximately 90–120 mL/min/1.73 m², and values below 60 for three or more months indicate chronic kidney disease.
Question 3: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) is defined by a GFR of less than:
- 15 mL/min/1.73 m² (Correct answer)
- 30 mL/min/1.73 m²
- 60 mL/min/1.73 m²
- 90 mL/min/1.73 m²
Correct answer: 15 mL/min/1.73 m²
ESRD (CKD Stage 5) is defined as a GFR below 15 mL/min/1.73 m², at which point renal replacement therapy is typically required.
Question 4: Which electrolyte imbalance is of greatest immediate concern in ESRD patients?
- Hyperkalemia (Correct answer)
- Hyponatremia
- Hypocalcemia
- Hyperphosphatemia
Correct answer: Hyperkalemia
Hyperkalemia is the most immediately life-threatening electrolyte imbalance in ESRD because elevated potassium can trigger fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
Question 5: What is the primary cause of anemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD)?
- Insufficient production of erythropoietin by diseased kidneys (Correct answer)
- Iron overload
- Vitamin B12 deficiency
- Chronic blood loss from dialysis access
Correct answer: Insufficient production of erythropoietin by diseased kidneys
The failing kidney produces inadequate erythropoietin, the hormone that stimulates red blood cell production, leading to normocytic normochromic anemia.
Question 6: Which acid-base disturbance is most common in patients with ESRD?
- Metabolic acidosis (Correct answer)
- Metabolic alkalosis
- Respiratory acidosis
- Respiratory alkalosis
Correct answer: Metabolic acidosis
ESRD patients develop metabolic acidosis because the kidneys lose the ability to excrete hydrogen ions and regenerate bicarbonate.
CHBT Renal Physiology and Kidney Disease 1
Which of the following is the primary functional unit of the kidney?