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acute kidney injury (AKI)
a sudden and often reversible loss of kidney function
aldosterone
a hormone that promotes the reabsorption of sodium and water in the kidneys, contributing to an increase in blood volume and blood pressure
angiotensin I
a peptide hormone
angiotensin II
a potent vasoconstrictor
angiotensinogen
a protein produced by the liver that is cleaved by renin to form angiotensin I
anuria
a condition marked by the absence of urine output, presenting as less than 50 mL of urine within a twenty-four-hour period
bladder
the storage reservoir for urine prior to its regulated expulsion from the body
bladder perforation
a rupture or tear in the wall of the urinary bladder
bladder training
a structured program aiming to improve bladder control and reduce urinary frequency or urgency
catheter-associated urinary tract infection
urinary tract infection that occurs in patients who have indwelling urinary catheters
chronic kidney disease (CKD)
a condition characterized by gradual and irreversible loss of kidney function over time
continence
the ability to control and maintain bladder functions
creatinine
a waste product that results from the breakdown of creatine phosphate in muscles
detrusor muscle
the layer of smooth muscle within the bladder wall
dialysis
a medical procedure that mechanically filters and purifies the blood in individuals with kidney failure
dysuria
painful or difficult urination
enuresis
urination during sleep
erythropoiesis
the production of red blood cells
erythropoietin (EPO)
a glycoprotein hormone that plays a crucial role in the regulation of red blood cell production
external urethral sphincter
a ringlike muscle that aids in the regulation of urine flow
functional incontinence
occurs in older adults who have normal bladder control but struggle to get to the toilet in time to void
glomerular filtrate
fluid that results from the filtration process in the glomerulus, containing essential substances needed by the body, such as water and electrolytes, as well as waste materials that need to be eliminated through urine
glomerular filtration
the initial step in the process of urine formation
glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
a measure of the rate at which glomerular filtration occurs; quantifies the volume of filtrate formed by the kidneys per unit of time
glomerulus
the network of tiny blood vessels in the kidneys
gout
a form of arthritis characterized by sudden and severe pain, swelling, and redness in the joints, primarily the big toe, due to the deposition of urate crystals
hematuria
visible or microscopic blood in urine
kidney
a bean-shaped organ located on either side of the spine, just below the ribcage
kidney calculus
solid, crystalline structures formed in the kidneys that can obstruct the normal flow of urine
kidney transplantation
a surgical procedure in which a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor is transplanted into a recipient with end-stage kidney disease to restore kidney function
micturition reflex
an involuntary physiological response that initiates the contraction of the bladder’s detrusor muscle and relaxation of the internal urethral sphincter, facilitating the expulsion of urine from the body
mixed urinary incontinence
a combination of urinary frequency, urgency, and stress incontinence
moisture-related dermatitis
a skin condition characterized by inflammation and irritation resulting from prolonged exposure to moisture
nephron
a microscopic unit within the kidneys; a functional unit responsible for blood filtration and urine formation
nephrotic syndrome
a kidney disorder characterized by excessive protein loss in the urine
nocturia
regular nighttime urination
oliguria
reduced urine output
overflow incontinence
the leakage of small amounts of urine from a bladder that is always full
polycystic kidney disease (PKD)
an inherited disease characterized by the formation of fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys
polyuria
excessive urine output, surpassing 2.5 L over twenty-four hours
postvoid residual urine volume
a measurement of urine left in the bladder after a patient has voided; obtained using ultrasound, a bladder scanner, or straight catheterization
proteinuria
a medical condition characterized by the presence of abnormal amounts of protein in the urine
purine
organic compound present in various foods that produces uric acid when it is broken down
pyelonephritis
a bacterial infection affecting the kidneys
pyuria
the presence of at least ten white blood cells per cubic millimeter in a urine sample
renal capsule
the protective layer encapsulating the kidneys
renal cortex
the outer layer of the kidneys
renal medulla
the inner region of the kidneys
renal pelvis
a funnel-shaped structure that directs urine into the ureter
renin
an enzyme synthesized and discharged by specialized cells in the kidneys
renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS)
a complex hormonal cascade that plays a crucial role in regulating blood pressure, electrolyte balance, and fluid volume within the body
stress urinary incontinence
involuntary loss of urine with intra-abdominal pressure
trigone
the triangular area in the bladder that acts as a physiological valve, preventing reflux of urine into the ureters
tubular reabsorption
the physiological process in the kidneys by which essential substances, including water, glucose, ions, and other necessary molecules, are selectively reclaimed from the filtrate in the renal tubules and returned to the bloodstream
tubular secretion
the active transport process in the kidneys by which certain substances, including excess ions, drugs, and metabolic by-products, are selectively moved from the peritubular capillaries into the renal tubules during urine formation
urate crystal
solid structure formed when elevated uric acid levels in the blood lead to the accumulation of crystals in joints
urea
liquid waste produced by the kidneys during the breakdown of protein-containing foods
ureter
one of two muscular tubes that serve as conduits for transporting urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder
urethra
a tubular structure that serves as the conduit for the expulsion of urine from the body
urge urinary incontinence
urine leakage accompanied by the sensation of a strong desire to void (urgency)
uric acid
a chemical compound formed during the breakdown of purines and excreted by the kidneys
urinalysis
a diagnostic examination of a urine sample to assess various aspects of a person’s health
urinary catheterization
a nursing procedure to promote urinary elimination in situations when a patient is unable to void voluntarily or when continuous drainage of urine is necessary
urinary frequency
the urge to urinate multiple times throughout the day or night, often accompanied by a compelling sense of urgency
urinary incontinence
the involuntary loss of bladder control, leading to the unintentional release of urine
urinary irrigation
a procedure that involves introducing a solution into the urinary tract to cleanse, flush, or treat the bladder and associated structures
urinary retention
the inability to fully empty the bladder
urinary system
a sophisticated network of organs responsible for producing, storing, and eliminating urine from the body
urinary tract infection (UTI)
a bacterial infection affecting any part of the urinary system
urinary urgency
the sensation of an urgent need to void
urination
the physiological process of eliminating urine from the bladder through the urethra
voiding stage
the final phase of the urinary process in which urine is expelled from the bladder through the urethra and out of the body
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