Glomerulonephritis

Kidney disease is normally caused by the damage to the nephron. This damage can be caused by genetics, injury, drugs, cancer, cysts, stones, and/or infection (National Library of Medicine, 2015). Glomerulonephritis is when the glomeruli are inflamed. The disease can be acute or chronic and it can be a primary or secondary form of glomerulonephritis, depending on how the glomerulonephritis is caused (Mayo Clinic, 2014a). Nephrotic syndrome is when the urine has too much protein in it, causing the feet and ankles to have edema. This occurs when the waste and excessive water is filtered through blood vessels that are damaged (Mayo Clinic, 2014b).
Nurses need to know the different symptoms, causes, risk factors and how to test and diagnosis glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome. Symptoms of glomerulonephritis are hematuria; proteinuria; hypertension; edema in the face, hands, feet and abdomen; anemia; and kidney failure (Mayo Clinic, 2014a). Glomerulonephritis can be caused by post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis, bacterial endocarditis, viral infections, lupus, …show more content…
The many causes of nephrotic syndrome include minimal change disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, membranous nephropathy, diabetic kidney disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, amyloidosis, blood clot in a kidney vein, and heart failure (Mayo Clinic, 2014b). The risk factors can include conditions that can affect the kidneys, for example, diabetes and lupus; certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories; and particular infections, including HIV and hepatitis (Mayo Clinic, 2014b). Nephrotic syndrome can be tested and diagnosed by doing a urine test, blood test, and/or removing a sample of kidney tissue for testing (Mayo clinic,