A patient is prescribed diagnostic tests to determine renal ...

[tiara099]

A patient is prescribed diagnostic tests to determine renal functioning. What test should the nurse review to determine the patient's glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?
 
  1. creatinine clearance
  2. blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
  3. intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
  4. renal ultrasound

Question 2

An 80-year-old patient has decreased renal cortexes, atherosclerosis of the renal arteries, and hypo-osmolality of urine. What should the nurse consider first as an explanation for this patient's renal status?
 
  1. These are typical changes associated with aging.
  2. These are signs of chronic renal failure.
  3. These are signs of acute renal failure.
  4. These are signs of a genetic renal disorder.

[britb2u]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
Creatinine clearance measures the ability of the kidney to clear a given amount of creatinine out of the plasma within a given time period. Creatinine is a substance produced from the breakdown of muscle and is cleared by the kidney at a constant rate. This test is used to determine the glomerular filtration rate or the ability of the kidney to clear substances out of the plasma. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) measures the amount of urea in the plasma, and although it is reflective of kidney function, it can be affected by both protein intake and fluid balance. Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) identifies the structures of the urinary system, not the function. Renal ultrasound identifies renal or perirenal masses or obstructions.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1
Typical age-related changes of the renal system include a decreased size of the renal cortex, atherosclerosis of the renal arteries, and hypo-osmolality. Because of the patient's age, the patient most likely is not experiencing chronic or acute renal failure or evidence of a genetic kidney problem.