Nuria Izquierdo-Useros-fighting the good fight

The kidneys are intricate organs with millions of working units known as nephrons. Each nephron features two major structures: the renal corpuscle, which facilitates blood plasma filtration, and the renal tubule, which handles the glomerular filtrate. Blood supply is directly linked to the nephrons. The renal corpuscle consists of the glomerulus, a capillary network, and the Bowman's capsule, a double-walled epithelial structure that encases the glomerulus. The filtering of blood plasma happens...

The ureters are retroperitoneal tubes located on either side of the vertebral column. They are responsible for transporting urine from each kidney to the urinary bladder. These tubes have thick walls and are approximately 25-30 cm long. Their diameter is around 10 mm at the renal pelvis, gradually narrowing to 1 mm as the ureter obliquely enters the posterior bladder wall through the ureteric orifices. The shape of these orifices is slit-like, which helps to prevent urine backflow toward the...

The urinary bladder is a hollow, muscular sac that temporarily stores urine before it is expelled from the body. It can hold approximately 600 mL of urine prior to micturition. The bladder is retroperitoneal and located behind the pubic symphysis in the pelvic floor.
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...

The nursing assessment of the genitourinary (GU) system involves a systematic inspection and palpation to identify abnormalities in the kidneys, bladder, and surrounding structures.InspectionMouth: Inspect for signs of kidney dysfunction, such as stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth) and ammonia breath, which may occur in advanced kidney disease due to the buildup of urea, breaking down into ammonia.Skin: Check for pallor, which could indicate anemia caused by kidney disease. Look for...

Nursing management for nephrotic syndrome adapts as the disease progresses, with strategies evolving to address advancing symptoms and complications.Early-Stage Management In the early stages, nursing interventions for nephrotic syndrome resemble those used in managing acute glomerulonephritis, focusing on symptom monitoring, fluid balance, and managing mild to moderate edema.Vital Signs: Regularly monitor blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and temperature to promptly identify...

AssessmentSubjective Data: Obtain a detailed health history, including any recent or chronic urinary tract infections, periods of immobilization, previous episodes of renal calculi, and medical conditions such as gout, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or hyperparathyroidism. Review the medication history for drugs that may influence stone formation, including allopurinol, analgesics, loop diuretics, or thiazide diuretics. Document the use of long-term indwelling catheters and any past surgical...