Glomulonephritis Primer

Question 1

What is Glomerulonephritis?

Answer 1

• Inflammation and damage to the filtering part of the kidneys (glomerulus).
• It can come on quickly or over a longer period of time.
• Toxins, metabolic wastes and excess fluid are not properly filtered into the urine.
• Instead, they build up in the body causing swelling and fatigue

Question 2

True or False

Glomerulonephritis can effect one or both kidneys.

Answer 2

• False, it affects both kidneys equally

Question 3

What causes Glomerulonephritis?

Answer 3

• It can be caused by various factors including: Toxins or medicines.
• Viral infections, such as HIV, hepatitis B and C viruses. IgA nephropathy.
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

Question 4

What are the clinical signs of glomerulonephritis?

Answer 4

• Hematuria
• Proteinuria and casts in urine
• Elevated BUN and serum creatinine levels

Question 5

When taking a H&H for a pt suspected of glomerulonephritis, what items should we focus on asking about?

Answer 5

• Exposure to drugs or immunizations
• Infections
• Possible autoimmune disorders

Question 6

How is glomerulonephritis treated?

Answer 6

• Changes to your diet so that you eat less protein, salt and potassium.
• Corticosteroids such as prednisone.
• Dialysis, which helps clean the blood, remove extra fluid and control blood pressure.
• Diuretics (water pills) to reduce swelling