Renal

Activity: Pathophysiology of Renal Autoregulation

Fill in the blanks with the correct term: myogenic, tubuloglomerular, contracts, dilate, macula densa, creatinine, glucose, hypertrophic.

Renal autoregulation maintains the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and stable blood flow to the kidneys through two primary mechanisms: the _____________________ response and tubuloglomerular feedback. The myogenicresponse involves the contraction or dilation of the afferent arterioles in response to changes in blood pressure. When blood pressure increases, the smooth muscle in these arterioles _____________________, reducing blood flow to the glomeruli and protecting them from damage. Conversely, if blood pressure decreases, the arterioles _____________________ to ensure adequate blood flow. _____________________ feedback complements this by sensing sodium chloride concentration in the tubular fluid via the _____________________ cells. If sodium levels are high, indicating increased flow, the afferent arterioles constrict; if sodium levels are low, they dilate. Renal autoregulation also maintains GFR, which determines the amount of _____________________ filtered from the blood.

Activity: Pathophysiology of Diabetes and the Development of CKD

Fill in the blanks with the correct term: nephropathy, glomerular sclerosis, albuminuria, elevated, decreased, retinopathy, hydronephrosis, kidney stones.

High blood glucose levels in diabetic patients thicken the glomerular basement membrane, decreasing filtration efficiency and damaging the small blood vessels in the kidneys, particularly the glomeruli. This process, known as diabetic _____________________, is the leading cause of CKD and end-stage renal disease (ESRD).  The damage in the kidneys results in _____________________, reducing the kidneys’ ability to filter blood effectively. Prolonged hyperglycemia also triggers inflammation and oxidative stress, accelerating nephron damage and a progressive decline in kidney function, resulting in persistent _____________________, _____________________ creatinine levels, and _____________________ GFR.

Activity: Pathophysiology of Hypertension and the Development of CKD

Fill in the blanks with the correct term: accelerates, reducing, glomerular, skeletal.

Hypertension is both a cause and a consequence of CKD. High blood pressure increases the force exerted on the walls of blood vessels, including those in the kidneys. This pressure damages the glomeruli and nephrons, subsequently _____________________ the GFR. As the kidneys lose function, they are less able to regulate blood pressure, creating a cycle where hypertension _____________________ CKD progression. Additionally, hypertension increases pressure within the renal arteries, contributing to further vascular and _____________________ damage.

Activity: Pathophysiology of CKD and Anemia

Fill in the blanks with the correct term: erythropoietin, hepcidin, inadequate, adequate, sequestration, erythropoiesis.
Anemia is a common complication of CKD, primarily caused by decreased _____________________ production due to kidney damage, iron dysregulation from chronic inflammation, and a reduced lifespan of red blood cells. The kidneys’ inability to produce sufficient EPO leads to _____________________ red blood cell production.  Additionally, inflammation suppresses _____________________, and reduced clearance of the liver hormone _____________________ leads to elevated levels that block intestinal iron absorption and increase iron _____________________.