Word parts
What it means
The word used for anything to do with the kidneys: renal failure, renal function, the renal artery, a renal diet. The kidneys filter the blood, make urine and keep fluids and electrolyteih-LEK-troh-lytA mineral that carries an electric charge when dissolved in body fluids, such as sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride.electr/o electricity-lyte something that can be dissolvedFull entry in balance, so renal problems affect the whole body.
For the nurse
Renal function is followed with creatininekree-AT-uh-neenA waste product of muscle that the kidneys remove from the blood; its blood level is used to measure how well the kidneys work.Full entry , blood urea nitrogenblud yoo-REE-uh NY-truh-jenA blood test that measures urea nitrogen, a waste product made when the body breaks down protein.Full entry and urine output. Many drugs leave the body through the kidneys, so poor renal function can let them build up.
In a chart
"Renal function declining: creatinine 2.4 mg/dL, up from 1.1 last week."
At a glance
| Spanish | renal |
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Related terms
chronic kidney disease
Kidney damage or reduced kidney function that lasts longer than three months.
dialysis
A treatment that removes wastes and extra fluid from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do it.
creatinine
A waste product of muscle that the kidneys remove from the blood; its blood level is used to measure how well the kidneys work.
blood urea nitrogen
A blood test that measures urea nitrogen, a waste product made when the body breaks down protein.