Case Study

Understanding Renal Functions

John Bielinski, MS PA-C By March 15, 2018March 25th, 2018No Comments
Understanding Renal Functions

Renal functions refer to BUN and creatinine. let’s start there. I know it’s a basic start. Now, do not make the mistake of calling the BUN a “bun.” That is a rookie mistake. It is referred to a B.U.N. meaning blood urea nitrogen.

If elevated, we referred to that state as azotemia (Azotemia (azot, “nitrogen” + -emia, “blood condition”) is a medical condition characterized by abnormally high levels of nitrogen-containing compounds. Another renal function is known as the creatinine. Now, creatinine is a breakdown product of muscle and stays relatively constant. A normal reference value for creatinine is less than 1.5, but that is quite variable based on the muscle mass of the individual. If you have a frail 90-year-old lady who weighs 80 lbs and her creatinine is 1.5, this demonstrates significant renal insufficiency. However, when a body builder, with a large muscles, has a creatinine of 1.7 that may be a completely normal value for this larger gentleman.

If renal functions are elevated, we need to figure out if it is renal, prerenal or postrenal. This must identify this. Prerenal problems are a problem with a lack of blood flow going into the kidneys. This is (almost always) either dehydration or congestive heart failure. (I will estimate 24 out of 25 times they are dry.) Both of these states mean the body is not getting adequate blood flow to the kidneys to keep the renal functions adequate.

The initial way to tell if this is a prerenal problem is to look at the BUN to creatinine ratio. If the ratio is greater than 20, it suggests a pre-renal problem. A renal cause of azotemia means that the kidneys are actually diseased and sick. A way to help with this is your BUN and creatinine ratio. Again, if less than 20, that suggests a sick kidney. This is also a time when that fractional excretion of sodium or FeNa is helpful because a FeNa greater than 2 says that the body is not filtering sodium the way it should and again implies a sick kidney.

The most common postrenal problem, by far, is the prostate. Do a rectal exam and see if the prostate is enlarged. Talk to the patient about the history of urinary flow. Is it easy to initiate flow? Do they feel like they empty their bladder completely? The prostate is kind of like a doughnut that the urethra goes through, and when the prostate becomes enlarged, it pinches down on the urethra. A patient who has an enlarged prostate, will void, yet not completely empty their bladder because of the pressure on their urethra. So, you would ask them, “Do you feel like you are completely emptying your bladder after you pee?” If a patient has elevated BUN or creatinine, you need to look at the BUN to creatinine ratio and apply that to patient care. Students can often get confused here. If you have a ratio that is greater than 20 yet the BUN to creatinine values are in normal range, we do not care about that. We do not look at ratio if the BUN to creatinine are normal. So, once again we only look at the BUN to creatinine ratio if the functions are elevated.

If you still have questions please email us at
kara@cme4life.com

For iCME4Life.com account log in issues, email
sarah@cme4life.com

100% PANCE GUARANTEE:

IF YOU FAIL YOUR PANCE AFTER TAKING OUR CURRICULUM,
WE WILL WORK WITH YOUR UNTIL YOU PASS AT NO ADDITIONAL COST.
YOU WILL BE DIRECTLY MENTORED BY JOHN, AS WELL AS PUT INTO A STUDY COHORT.

CME4Life Resources Page

You Will Pass… Our Record Speaks for Itself!


CME4Life offers a 7 day money back guarantee on individual courses ordered. If you order multiple courses exceeding $1,000.00, CME4Life will refund you the full amount minus a $50.00 Per Course Administrative Fee plus S&H. If you have not tried our products previously, we strongly encourage that you purchase a single product first to ensure it will meet your educational style and needs. CME4Life reserves the right to refuse to sell to individuals who consistently make large purchases only to return them.

Gift Cards/Product Purchases – There are NO REFUNDS on any orders that include gift cards/special promotions. Once you receive your paid invoice, and your order and credit card have been processed NO REFUNDS will be issued. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Conference Cancellation Policy – Written cancellations received 30 or more days prior to the conference start date will be eligible for a full refund of the registration fee paid. Cancellations received less than 30 days, but prior to the conference start date will receive credit towards a future CME4Life conference of their choice. For cancellations received on or after the conference start date, 50% of the registration fee paid will be credited toward a future CME4Life conference.

**If unforeseen circumstances occur, CME4Life reserves the right to postpone or cancel any course or conference. CME4Life will refund the registration fee but will not be held responsible for any related expenses incurred by participants.**