Acute Glomerulonephritis Overview

Study Notes

Acute Glomerulonephritis

Prognosis depends on the cause and severity of the condition.
Risk factors include infections, immune diseases, vasculitis, hypertension, diabetes.
Glomeruli within Bowman's capsule of the kidney become inflamed.
Inflammation is triggered by an immunological process.
Urine may contain protein, blood, white blood cells (WBCs), and casts.
Edema, decreased urine output, hypertension, and elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels are possible.
Medical management includes taking a medical history, physical exam, and laboratory tests.
Treatment involves medications, supportive care, plasmapheresis, and rest.
Complications include renal failure.
Nursing assessment focuses on clinical manifestations resulting from damage to Bowman's capsule.
Relevant nursing diagnoses include impaired urinary elimination and ineffective therapeutic regimen management.
Nursing interventions involve monitoring vital signs, daily weights, intake and output, abdominal girth, skin condition, dietary intake, and laboratory analysis.
Nursing actions include administering medications as ordered, maintaining a low-to-moderate protein diet, and restricting dietary sodium and fluids.
Nursing teaching includes explaining the disease process, prescribed medications, dietary restrictions, preventing infections, and handwashing.
Evaluating care outcomes includes blood pressure within normal limits, absence of edema, and renal function within normal limits.

Epidemiology

Prognosis of acute glomerulonephritis varies depending on the cause of the infection and the severity of the damage.

Risk Factors

Infections
Immune diseases
Vasculitis
Hypertension
Diabetes

Pathophysiology

Inflammation of the glomeruli within Bowman's capsule of the kidney.
Triggered by an immunological mechanism.

Clinical Manifestations

Protein, blood, white blood cells, and casts in the urine.
Edema
Decreased urine output
Hypertension
Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels

Medical Management: Diagnosis

Medical history
Physical examination
Laboratory tests

Medical Management: Treatment

Medications
Supportive care
Plasmapheresis
Rest

Complications

Renal failure

Nursing Management: Assessment and Analysis

Assess for clinical manifestations of damage to Bowman's capsule.

Nursing Management: Nursing Diagnoses

Impaired urinary elimination
Ineffective therapeutic regimen management

Nursing Interventions: Assessments

Vital signs
Daily weights
Intake and output
Measure abdominal girth
Skin condition
Monitor dietary intake
Laboratory analysis

Nursing Interventions: Actions

Administer medications as ordered
Maintain a low-to-moderate protein diet.
Dietary sodium and fluid restriction.

Nursing Interventions: Teaching

Provide an overview of the disease process.
Explain prescribed medications.
Discuss dietary restrictions
Emphasize the importance of avoiding infections
Encourage frequent hand washing.

Nursing Management: Evaluating Care Outcomes

Blood pressure within normal limits.
No edema.
Renal function within normal limits.

Description

This quiz covers the key aspects of Acute Glomerulonephritis, including its causes, risk factors, clinical manifestations, and treatment options. It also addresses the nursing assessment and interventions for managing this condition. Test your knowledge on this important topic in renal health.