Question

Renal and Urinary Tract Case Study

Directions: Read the Case Study and fill in your answers to the 2 questions.

Case Study

Your patient, Mr. Svenson, has chronic kidney disease.

History: DM

Labs: Serum creatinine: 4.2 mg/dL (0.5 to 1.4)

          Calcium: 8.0 mg/dL (8.8-10.3)

          Hgb: 10.5gm/dL (12-16)

VS: BP 152/80; HR 80; afebrile

Mr. Svenson is complaining of itchy skin, fatigue, and decreased appetite (anorexia). His wife is concerned because he seems to be having shortness of breath and memory problems.

1. Pick two of Mr. Svenson’s signs or symptoms of kidney disease (one lab value and one symptom) and explain to your clinical preceptor why each occurs in kidney disease.
2. Pick another one of Mr. Svenson’s signs or symptoms of kidney disease and explain to the patient and spouse why it occurs in kidney disease.

Answer 1

1.

Mr. Svenson's Serum creatinine level is 4.2 mg/dL and he also complains shortness of breath.

Serum creatinine level is increased because he is suffering from chronic kidney disease. Serum creatinine is derived from muscle activity which is normally removed by the kidney but in chronic kidney disease, the kidneys are not working normally that's why the creatinine level increased.

He is suffering from shortness of breath because of fluid deposition in the lungs due to decreased kidney functions.

2.

Mr. Svenson's blood pressure is 152/80mmhg and he is experiencing fatigue.

He is having hypertension because he is having hypervolemia (fluid overload) due to decreased kidney function. He is suffering from fatigue due to the build-up of excess harmful toxins in the bloodstream and also due to decreased hemoglobin level (10.5gm/dl) which decreases the oxygen-carrying capacity of red blood cells.