A nurse is caring for a client who has acute glomerulonephritis. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A.
Hematuria.
B.
Polyuria.
C.
Weight loss.
D.
Hypotension.
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is A. Hematuria.
Explanation:
Acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) is a condition characterized by inflammation of the glomeruli, the small filtering units in the kidneys. This inflammation can impair the kidneys’ ability to filter blood effectively, leading to a range of clinical manifestations.
One of the hallmark findings in AGN is hematuria, which refers to the presence of blood in the urine. This occurs due to damage to the glomerular capillaries, which allows red blood cells to leak into the urine. Hematuria in AGN often presents as “tea-colored” or “cola-colored” urine due to the presence of red blood cells and sometimes, hemoglobin. This finding is typically a key diagnostic indicator of AGN and is associated with the inflammatory process affecting the glomeruli.
In addition to hematuria, other common findings in AGN include:
- Oliguria: Reduced urine output is common due to decreased glomerular filtration rate.
- Edema: Fluid retention occurs because the kidneys are less effective at excreting sodium and water, leading to swelling, especially in the face and extremities.
- Hypertension: Increased blood pressure results from fluid overload and increased sodium retention.
The other options are less characteristic of acute glomerulonephritis:
- Polyuria: This is more typical of conditions like diabetes mellitus or diabetes insipidus, where there is excessive urine output. In AGN, urine output is usually reduced, not increased.
- Weight loss: While weight changes can occur, significant weight loss is not a primary symptom of AGN. Instead, patients are more likely to experience weight gain due to fluid retention.
- Hypotension: This is not a typical finding in AGN; in fact, hypertension is more common due to fluid overload and sodium retention.
Understanding these findings helps in the appropriate management and treatment of patients with acute glomerulonephritis, aiming to address both the symptoms and the underlying causes of the condition.