Nephrology Flashcards
(101 cards)
Hyaline casts are associated with…
concentrated urine, febrile disease, strenuous exercise, diuretic therapy
RBC casts are associated with…
glomerulonephritis
WBC casts are associated with…
pyelonephritis, interstitial nephritis(indicative of infection or inflammation, allergy)
Renal epithelial cell casts are associated with…
acute tubular necrosis, interstitial nephritis
Muddy granular casts are associated with…
non-specific, can represent acute tubular necrosis
Broad/Waxy casts are associated with…
Chronic renal failure - indicative of stasis in enlarged collecting tubules
Indications for dialysis
AEIOU: acidosis, Electrolytes(K >6.5, rapidly rising K), Intoxications(SLIME: Salicylates, Lithium, Isopropanol, Methanol & Ethylene glycol can all be removed with dialysis), Overload, Uremia
What is Prerenal Azotemia? What are some causes?
hypoperfusion of the kidneys leading to failure. May be due to: hypotension, Hypovolemia, Low oncotic pressure, CHF, Constrictive Pericarditis, Renal Artery Stenosis
Urine sodium with prerenal azotemia? low or high?
LOW!
What type of casts will you see with prerenal azotemia?
Hyaline Casts
Why do you get elevation of BUN with prerenal azotemia? (i want mechanism)
low volume = increased ADH –> ADH increases urea transport activity =D
What are some causes of Postrenal Azotemia?
Stone in bladder or ureters, bilateral strictures, cancer of the bladder, prostate cancer, cervical cancer or neurogenic bladder
Urine sodium with intrarenal failure? high or low?
high >40
What is Acute Tubular Necrosis(ATN)?
death of the tubular cells of the kidney due to either hypoperfusion or various toxic injuries to the kidney(aminoglycosides, amphotericin, chemo, contrast)
What is the mechanism of contrast induced renal failure?
Contrast is directly toxic to the kidney tubule and causes vasoconstriction of the afferent arteriole. ==> decreased perfusion = rapid increase in Cr & decreased in urine Na.
What type of casts would you see with Acute tubular necrosis(ATN)?
“muddy brown” or granular
What is Allergic/Acute Interstitial Nephritis(AIN)?
Hypersensitivity reaction to medications. Look for UA with WBCs, fever and rash. *use Wright Stain or Hansel Stain of the urine to detect eosinophils.
Pt has AIN for >48hrs. What do you do?
give them steroids
What is Rhabdomyolysis? What do you see with kidneys?
large-volume muscular necrosis –> Myoglobin from muscles is toxic to kidney tubules = UA with blood, Elevated Urine myoglobin, elevated CPK level, increased K & decreased Ca.
What is the mechanism of hypocalcemia with rhabdomyolysis?
damaged muscle releases SERCA. SERCA takes up Ca lowering the blood level of Ca.
How do you treat rhabdomyolysis?
Bolus NS, mannitol diuresis(decrease contact time of myoblin with tubule) & Alkalinization of urine to help precipitate myoglobin + EKG(hyperkalemia induced arrhythmia)
Pt with a UA showing envelope-shaped oxalate crystals. What did this person do? How do you tx them?
prob suicide by ingestion of antifreeze(ethylene glycol). Treat with Ethanol or Fomepizole + immediate dialysis
Pt with UA showing uric acid crystals. Whats the most common cause of this? How do you treat?
MCC = tumor lysis syndrome due to chemotherapy(often for lymphoma). tx: hydration, allopurinol & rasburicase(breaks down uric acid)
What blood stuff would you see with a cholesterol embolism?
on skin = livedo reticularis blood = low C3 &C4 + eosinophilia







