Name the four major structures urine travels through, in order.
Kidneys → ureters → urinary bladder → urethra.
Define dysuria.
Painful or difficult urination.
What does UTI stand for?
Urinary tract infection.
What is a urinalysis?
A test that examines physical, chemical, and sometimes microscopic features of urine.
What is a urinary catheter used for?
To drain urine from the bladder when clinically indicated.
What does nephr/o mean?
Kidney.
Define hematuria.
Blood in the urine.
What is cystitis?
Inflammation of the urinary bladder, commonly due to infection.
What might positive urine nitrites suggest?
Certain bacteria may be present; a negative test does not rule out UTI.
What type of medicine may treat a bacterial UTI?
An appropriate antibiotic, when treatment is indicated.
What does cyst/o usually mean in urinary terminology?
Urinary bladder (also cyst or sac in other contexts).
Define nocturia.
Waking during the night to urinate.
What is pyelonephritis?
Infection/inflammation of the kidney, often with fever and flank pain.
What can urine microscopy detect?
Cells, bacteria, crystals, and casts.
What is lithotripsy?
A procedure that breaks stones into smaller pieces.
What is the difference between the ureter and the urethra?
Ureters carry urine from kidneys to bladder; urethra carries urine from bladder to outside the body.
What does oliguria mean?
Abnormally low urine output.
What is nephrolithiasis commonly called?
Kidney stones.
Why might a provider order a urine culture?
To identify bacteria causing a suspected infection and help guide antibiotic selection.
What is dialysis?
A treatment that removes wastes and excess fluid when kidneys cannot do so adequately.
Decode nephrolithiasis.
Condition of kidney stones (nephr/o + lith + -iasis).
Explain the difference between polyuria and anuria.
Polyuria = excessive urine production; anuria = absent or extremely low urine production.
How do acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) differ?
AKI develops over hours to days; CKD involves kidney abnormalities persisting for at least 3 months.
Which blood tests commonly help evaluate kidney function?
Creatinine and estimated GFR (eGFR); BUN can also provide information.
What is a nephrectomy?
Surgical removal of all or part of a kidney.