Glomerular Information and Courses from MediaLab, Inc.
These are the MediaLab courses that cover Glomerular and links to relevant pages within the course.
Learn more about laboratory continuing education for medical technologists to earn CE credit for AMT, ASCP, NCA, and state license renewal and recertification. Or get information about laboratory safety and compliance courses that deliver cost-effective OSHA safety training and continuing education to your laboratory's employees.
| Clinical Significance cont'd Proteinuria related to kidney impairment may be due to glomerular membrane damage caused by toxic agents, immune complexes found in lupus erythematosus, or streptococcal glomerulonephritis. The amount of protein present in urine samples from patients with glomerular damage usually ranges from 10-40 mg/dl. If the urinary protein is due to a disorder that affects tubular reabsorption, the urine protein quantities will be much greater. In patients with multiple myeloma, proteinuria is due to the excretion of the Bence Jones protein. This low molecular weight protein produced by a malignant clone of plasma cells circulates in the blood and is filtered in the kidneys in quantities exceeding the tubular capacity. This excess protein is excreted in the urine. | View Page |
| Clinical Significance cont'd Individuals with diabetes mellitus may excrete small amounts of protein in the urine which may signal the beginning of reduced glomerular filtration. Stabilizing the blood glucose level at this time may delay progression of diabetic nephropathy. Women in the last month of pregnancy may develop proteinuria as the first sign of impending eclampsia. Eclampsia is the gravest form of toxemia of pregnancy. The presence of protein in this situation must be evaluated by the physician in conjunction with other clinical symptoms.Benign transient proteinuria may be the result of: exposure to cold, strenuous exercise, dehydration, and/or high fever. Benign transient proteinuria may also occur during the acute phase of a severe illness. | View Page |
| Proteinuria related to kidney impairment may be due to: (Choose ALL of the correct answers) | View Page |
| What type of cast is shown in the illustration: | View Page |
| Which of the following tests would be used in the assessment of glomerular filtration: | View Page |
| The primary mechanism responsible for glomerular filtration is: | View Page |
| Which one of the following statements about urea is false: | View Page |
| The primary site of reabsorption of glomerular filtrate is the: | View Page |
| In a patient with acute glomerulonephritis you would expect to find all but the following
in the urine except: | View Page |
| Which of the following tests would be useful in the assessment of glomerular filtration: | View Page |
| Diseases Associated with Proteinuria Normal urine contains very little protein, usually less than 10mg/dL, and the major serum protein that is found in normal urine is albumin. The presence of an increased amount of protein in the urine (proteinuria) can be an indicator of renal disease. The two mechanisms which can lead to proteinuria are glomerular damage or a defect in the reabsorption process of the tubules in the nephron. The concentration of protein in the urine is not necessarily indicative of the severity of renal disease. | View Page |
| Microalbumin Test The presence of low levels of albumin (microalbumin) in the urine is an important finding in an individual with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The development of clinical nephropathy leads to reduced glomerular filtration and eventually may lead to renal failure. For this reason, early detection of microalbumin is important in order to avert renal complications in a diabetic patient. The presence of microalbuminuria has also been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Reagent strips that are used for routine urinalysis cannot detect low levels of albumin excretion (1 to 2 mg/dL). Special reagent strips that are sensitive for these low levels of albumin are useful for periodic monitoring of patients with diabetes, hypertension, or peripheral vascular disease. | View Page |
| The Presence of Glucose in the Urine The presence of significant amounts of glucose in the urine is called glycosuria (or glucosuria). The amount of glucose present in urine is dependent upon the blood glucose level, the rate of glomerular filtration, and the degree of tubular reabsorption of the sugar. Usually glucose will not be present in the urine until the blood level exceeds 160-189 mg/dl, which is the normal renal threshold for glucose. The main reason for glycosuria is an elevated blood glucose level, called hyperglycemia. Diabetes mellitus is the most common disease that causes hyperglycemia. However, stress, obesity, brain injury, myocardial infarction, hyperthyroidism, pregnancy, and a lowered renal threshold due to kidney damage can all cause glycosuria. | View Page |
| Red Blood Cells Red blood cells (RBCs) may also be found in the urine sediment. The presence of RBCs in the sediment is associated with damage to the glomerular membrane or vascular injury within the genitourinary tract (the possibility of menstrual contamination must be considered). | View Page |