VIII Glossary

Acute renal failure: The sudden loss of kidney function; also known as acute kidney injury. (Chapter 8.5)

Anuria: Absence of urine output, typically found during kidney failure, defined as less than 50 mL of urine over a 24-hour period. (Chapter 8.2)

Arteriovenous graft: Similar to a fistula but uses a synthetic tube to create a conduit between the artery and vein. (Chapter 8.6)

Asterixis: Flapping tremor. (Chapter 8.5)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): Enlargement of the prostate that is not cancerous. (Chapter 8.12)

Bladder: Hollow muscular organ which serves as a reservoir to collect urine. (Chapter 8.2)

Bruit: Whooshing sound. (Chapter 8.6)

Chronic kidney disease (CKD): The gradual, progressive loss of kidney function over time. (Chapter 8.6)

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD): Peritoneal dialysis involving manual exchanges multiple times a day. (Chapter 8.5)

Continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD): Peritoneal dialysis using a machine for automated exchanges during the night. (Chapter 8.5)

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT): A slow and continuous form of dialysis that occurs 24 hours a day, emulating the continuous filtration process of the kidney. (Chapter 8.5)

Costovertebral angle tenderness: Tenderness to palpation over the kidneys. (Chapter 8.8)

Cystitis: A condition characterized by the inflammation of the bladder. (Chapter 8.7)

Deamination: The process by which amino acids are converted into ammonia, urea, and uric acid. (Chapter 8.2)

Dialysis: A procedure to artificially perform the functions of the kidneys when they are unable to effectively filter waste products and excess fluids from the blood. (Chapter 8.5)

Distended: Stretched out. (Chapter 8.2)

Diuresis: Increased production of urine. (Chapter 8.2)

Diuretic: A substance that increases urine production. (Chapter 8.2)

Dysuria: Painful or burning sensation during urination. (Chapter 8.2)

Edema: Excess fluid around the cells. (Chapter 8.2)

Enuresis: Involuntary urination, especially by children. (Chapter 8.2)

Frequency: The need to urinate several times during the day or night in normal or less-than-normal volumes. (Chapter 8.2)

Functional incontinence: Normal bladder control but difficulties getting to the toilet because of arthritis or other disorders that make it hard to move quickly or manipulate zippers or buttons. (Chapter 8.10)

Glomerular filtration: The first step in urine production. (Chapter 8.2)

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR): The volume of filtrate formed by both kidneys per minute. (Chapter 8.2)

Glomeruli: Structures within the kidneys responsible for filtering waste and excess fluids from the blood to produce urine. (Chapter 8.9)

Glomerulonephritis: An inflammatory disease that specifically affects the kidney glomeruli. (Chapter 8.9)

Glomerulus: Cluster of high-pressure capillaries. (Chapter 8.2)

Hematuria: Blood in urine. (Chapter 8.2)

Hemodialysis: A type of dialysis using a machine called a dialyzer or artificial kidney. (Chapter 8.5)

Hydrostatic pressure: The pressure produced by a fluid against a surface. (Chapter 8.2)

Incontinence: Loss of bladder control. (Chapter 8.2)

Infectious cystitis: The most common type of urinary tract infection (UTI), resulting from a bacterial, viral, or parasitic infection. (Chapter 8.7)

Interstitial cystitis: An inflammatory disease characterized by chronic bladder inflammation that lacks a known cause. (Chapter 8.7)

Kidney: An organ that filters waste from the blood and produces urine. (Chapter 8.2)

Metabolic acidosis: A pH level below 7.35 and an HCO3 level below 22. (Chapter 8.2)

Metabolic alkalosis: A pH above 7.45 and an HCO3 level above 26. (Chapter 8.2)

Nephrolithiasis: Kidney stones. (Chapter 8.11)

Nephron: Functional unit of the kidney and filters the blood, removes wastes, and balances fluid and electrolyte levels. (Chapter 8.2)

Nocturia: Frequent urination at night. (Chapter 8.2)

Noninfectious cystitis: Cystitis from irritants such as certain chemicals (such as chemotherapy medications) or radiation exposure. (Chapter 8.7)

Oliguria: Decreased urine output, defined as less than 500 mL of urine in adults in a 24-hour period. (Chapter 8.2)

Oncotic pressure: Colloidal pressure that is created by the protein content of the blood that helps hold water inside of capillaries. (Chapter 8.2)

Osmosis: The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane that is impermeable to a solute. (Chapter 8.2)

Overflow incontinence: Continuous or intermittent leakage of small amounts of urine due to incomplete bladder emptying. (Chapter 8.10)

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy: The removal of larger stones from the kidney using a nephroscope inserted through a small incision in the back. (Chapter 8.11)

Peritoneal dialysis: Dialysis using the peritoneum, a membrane lining the abdominal cavity, as a natural filter. (Chapter 8.5)

Pessaries: Medical devices inserted into the vagina to support the bladder or urethra in cases of stress incontinence. (Chapter 8.10)

Plasmapheresis: Removal of blood plasma and replacement with donor plasma. (Chapter 8.9)

Polyuria: Greater than 2.5 liters of urine output over 24 hours; also referred to as diuresis. (Chapter 8.2)

Pruritus: Itchy skin; a common symptom of kidney failure. (Chapter 8.2)

Pyelonephritis: Bacterial infection that typically starts as a urinary tract infection (UTI) that progresses up the ureters to the kidneys. (Chapter 8.7, Chapter 8.8)

Pyuria: White blood cells in a urine sample indicating infection. In severe infections, pus may be visible in the urine. (Chapter 8.2)

Radical prostatectomy: A surgical procedure to remove the prostate, surrounding tissue, and seminal vesicles. (Chapter 8.13)

Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL): A medical procedure that utilizes shock waves to break larger stones into smaller fragments, making them easier to pass through the urinary tract. (Chapter 8.11)

Sphincters: Circular muscles constricting an orifice. (Chapter 8.2)

Stress incontinence: Involuntary loss of urine due to weakened pelvic floor muscles, leading to leakage during physical activities, coughing, sneezing, or laughing. (Chapter 8.10)

Third spacing: Abnormal accumulation of fluid within interstitial spaces causing swelling within tissues. (Chapter 8.3)

Thrill: Vibration. (Chapter 8.6)

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP): A surgical procedure to remove tissue from the prostate using a resectoscope (a thin, lighted tube with a cutting tool) inserted through the urethra. (Chapter 8.13)

Turbidity: Cloudiness of urine caused by the presence of suspended particles that are not easily seen. (Chapter 8.3)

Urea: A waste product made when the liver breaks down protein into amino acids, and then deamination converts the amino acids into ammonia, urea, or uric acid. (Chapter 8.2)

Uremia: Elevated urea and nitrogenous waste in the blood. (Chapter 8.5)

Uremic encephalopathy: A cerebral dysfunction caused by the accumulation of toxins resulting from acute or chronic kidney failure. (Chapter 8.3)

Uremic frost: Whitish coating of urea crystals on the skin when there is a significant buildup of urea in the bloodstream during severe kidney failure. (Chapter 8.5)

Ureter: The duct by which urine passes from the kidney to the bladder. (Chapter 8.2)

Ureterolithiasis: Stones in the ureter(s). (Chapter 8.11)

Ureteroscopy: A medical procedure where a thin tube is passed through the urethra and bladder into the ureter to remove stones. (Chapter 8.11)

Urethra: Transports urine from the bladder to the outside of the body during urination. (Chapter 8.2)

Urge incontinence: Incontinence caused by a sudden, strong urge to urinate followed by involuntary loss of urine. (Chapter 8.10)

Urgency: A sensation of an urgent need to void. (Chapter 8.2)

Urinary incontinence: The involuntary loss of urine. (Chapter 8.2, Chapter 8.10)

Urinary retention: Inability of the bladder to completely empty, leaving residual urine in the bladder. (Chapter 8.12)

Urinary system: Also referred to as the renal system or urinary tract; consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. (Chapter 8.2)

Urinate: The process of passing urine; also referred as void or micturate. (Chapter 8.2)

Urolithiasis: The formation of stones or calculi within the urinary tract. (Chapter 8.11)

Watchful waiting: Refers to treatment used for older men whose prostate cancer is found during a screening test, but do not have signs or symptoms. (Chapter 8.13)