NRE Step 1: Renal Made Simple – Pass with Precision

Kidney Problems

  • Nephrotic Syndrome:
    • Lots of protein in pee (more than 3.5 grams a day).
    • Low protein in blood.
    • Swelling, especially around the eyes.
    • High fats in blood.
    • Higher chance of blood clots.
    • Can be caused by some infections or diseases.
    • One type is called Minimal Change Disease, where the kidney looks normal but has problems.
    • Another type is Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis.
    • Membranous Nephropathy is another type, where the kidney tissue looks “spiky.”
    • Kidney problems can also happen with long-term diabetes, causing Kimmelstiel nodules.
  • Nephritic Syndrome:
    • Less protein in pee (less than 3.5 grams a day).
    • High blood pressure.
    • Peeing less.
    • Blood in pee (dark urine).
    • Can happen 2-3 weeks after a sore throat infection.
  • Vasculitis: Swelling of blood vessels that can hurt kidneys and lungs.
    • Wegener’s: Affects kidneys, lungs, and sinuses.
    • Microscopic Polyangiitis: Affects kidneys and lungs.
    • Churg-Strauss Syndrome: Affects kidneys, lungs, and causes asthma.
  • Anti-GBM Disease (Goodpasture Syndrome):
    • Antibodies attack kidneys and lungs.
    • Causes blood in pee and coughing up blood.
    • Treated with plasma exchange.
  • Alport Syndrome: Inherited problem with collagen, leading to kidney disease, hearing loss, and eye problems.
  • Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD):
    • Many cysts (fluid-filled sacs) in the kidneys.
    • AR PKD: Starts in childhood, rare, often serious.
    • AD PKD: Starts in adulthood, common, usually not as serious.
    • Can cause high blood pressure and cysts in the liver.
    • Can be linked to brain aneurysms.
  • Hydronephrosis: Swelling of the kidney because pee can’t get out.
    • Can be caused by blockage in the bladder or an enlarged prostate.
  • Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA): Kidney has trouble balancing acids in the body.
    • RTA Type 1: Urine pH is high. Can cause kidney stones and soft bones.
  • Acute Kidney Injury (AKI): Kidneys suddenly stop working well (GFR changes in less than 3 months).
  • Chronic Kidney Failure: Kidneys stop working well for a long time (GFR changes for more than 3 months).
    • Causes: High blood pressure, swelling.
    • Can cause heart problems (uremic pericarditis) and bone problems.
    • Can cause low red blood cells (anemia).
    • Treated with medicines, or dialysis, or a kidney transplant.

Other Important Stuff

  • Acid-Base Balance (ABGs):
    • Tells if your blood is too acidic or too basic.
    • Normal pH is 7.35-7.45.
  • Electrolyte Imbalance (Potassium and Calcium):
    • High Potassium: Can make heart waves look tall.
    • Low Potassium: Can cause a special “U” wave on heart tests.
    • High Calcium: Can make heart beats shorter.
    • Low Calcium: Can make heart beats longer.
  • Diuretics (Water Pills): Make you pee more.
    • Some can cause hearing problems.
    • Some can keep calcium in the body.
    • Some can cause male breast growth.

Head Injuries

  • Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS): A way to check how awake and responsive someone is after a head injury.
    • Eyes: How they open their eyes (4 = open on their own, 1 = no response).
    • Verbal: How they talk (5 = normal, 1 = no sound).
    • Motor: How they move (6 = obeys commands, 1 = no movement).
  • Epidural Hematoma: Blood clot on top of the brain’s covering.
    • Often from a specific blood vessel (MMA).
    • Person might seem fine at first, then get worse.
    • Looks like a round shape on a scan.
  • Subdural Hematoma: Blood clot under the brain’s covering.
    • From small veins.
    • Looks like a curved shape on a scan.
    • Can be linked to drinking alcohol.
    • Treated with a medicine called Nimoodipine.

Neck Lumps

  • Lymphadenitis: Swollen lymph nodes, often from infection.
  • Dermoid Cyst: A lump you are born with, usually in the middle or upper part of the neck.
    • Needs surgery to remove.
  • Sebaceous Cyst: A lump filled with pus or other oily stuff.
  • Lipoma: A fatty lump.
    • Can be painful.
    • Can be linked to Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (a thyroid problem).
  • Thyroglossal Duct Cyst: A lump in the middle of the neck that moves when you stick out your tongue.
  • Ectopic Thyroid: Thyroid tissue in the wrong place, like under the tongue.
  • Thyroid Cancer:
    • Papillary CA: Most common type (70-80%).
      • Can be caused by radiation as a child.
      • Spreads through lymph nodes.
      • Good outcome.
    • Follicular CA:
      • Common in people aged 40-60.
      • Spreads through blood.
      • Good outcome if found early.
    • Medullary CA:
      • Has a special marker called Calcitonin.
      • Can cause muscle spasms.
    • Anaplastic CA:
      • Very serious, poor outcome.
      • Rare, usually in people over 60.
  • Thyroid Scan: If a lump doesn’t absorb much radioactive iodine (less than 20% after 24 hours), it might be cancer and needs a biopsy.
  • Thyroid Surgery Problems:
    • Hematoma: Blood swelling that can make it hard to breathe.
    • Hoarseness: Rough voice from nerve damage.
    • Parathyroid removed: Can cause problems with calcium.

Breast Lumps

  • Location: Often in the upper, outer part of the breast.
  • Risk Factors: Older age, family history (BRCA1, BRCA2 genes), lots of estrogen, drinking alcohol.
  • Alarming Signs: Breasts look different, fluid from breast, new lump, dimpled skin.
  • Types of Lumps/Issues:
    • Fibroadenoma: Common in young women (15-35 years old).
      • Soft, not painful, can move around.
      • Not cancer.
      • Found with ultrasound.
    • Phyllodes Tumor: A lump with a “leaf-like” shape.
    • Mastitis: Breast discharge, fever, chills.
    • Abscess: A pocket of pus.
    • Paget Disease: Affects the nipple.
    • Fat Necrosis: Breast tissue dies after an injury.
    • Invasive Ductal CA: A type of breast cancer.
  • Gynecomastia: Enlarged male breast tissue.
    • Can be caused by liver problems, Klinefelter syndrome, testicular tumors, or some medicines.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top