Free Renal and Urological Nursing MCQs with Answers
50 Renal and Urological Nursing MCQs from Medical Surgical Nursing, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
Covers assessment and care for urinary tract infection, glomerulonephritis, nephrotic syndrome, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, renal stones and urinary obstruction. The subject includes intake and output, urinalysis, fluid restriction, dialysis care and the difference between prerenal, intrinsic and postrenal kidney injury.
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50 questions · page 2 of 3
- A. Daily weight at the same time
- B. Urine colour once per shift
- C. Blood pressure after meals
- D. Oral intake recorded at bedtime
Explanation: A daily weight taken under similar conditions reflects changes in total body water.
Correct answer: Daily weight at the same time- A. Apply a warm pack to the flank
- B. Encourage oral fluids if not restricted
- C. Administer the prescribed antibiotic
- D. Teach proper perineal hygiene
Explanation: Pyelonephritis is a kidney infection, so timely administration of the prescribed antibiotic treats the cause and helps prevent sepsis.
Correct answer: Administer the prescribed antibiotic- A. Concentrated urine with a high specific gravity
- B. Muddy brown granular casts in the urine
- C. Small urine volume after fluid loss
- D. Clear urine with no abnormal sediment
Explanation: Muddy brown granular casts are associated with tubular epithelial injury and acute tubular necrosis, an intrinsic kidney injury.
Correct answer: Muddy brown granular casts in the urine- A. Mild ankle edema in the evening
- B. Sudden shortness of breath and chest pain
- C. Foamy urine after waking
- D. A gradual increase in appetite
Explanation: Nephrotic syndrome increases the risk of venous thrombosis because proteins that prevent clotting are lost in urine.
Correct answer: Sudden shortness of breath and chest pain- A. Damaged kidneys may not remove extra potassium
- B. Salt substitutes always cause severe sodium loss
- C. Potassium is removed only during peritoneal dialysis
- D. High-potassium foods directly damage the bladder
Explanation: Reduced kidney function can impair potassium excretion, causing hyperkalaemia and potentially dangerous cardiac dysrhythmias.
Correct answer: Damaged kidneys may not remove extra potassium- A. I will drink enough fluid to keep my urine pale
- B. I will remain in bed to prevent stone movement
- C. I will avoid all calcium-containing foods
- D. I will take antibiotics whenever flank pain starts
Explanation: Adequate fluid intake helps dilute urine and reduces the concentration of stone-forming substances.
Correct answer: I will drink enough fluid to keep my urine pale- A. Recent exposure to contrast or nephrotoxic medicines
- B. Preference for sweet or salty foods
- C. Usual bedtime and sleeping position
- D. History of seasonal nasal symptoms
Explanation: Contrast agents and medicines such as aminoglycosides or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can cause intrinsic renal injury.
Correct answer: Recent exposure to contrast or nephrotoxic medicines- A. Serum potassium of 6.2 mmol/L
- B. Haemoglobin of 10.2 g/dL
- C. Serum phosphate of 5.1 mg/dL
- D. Blood urea nitrogen of 58 mg/dL
Explanation: A markedly elevated potassium level can cause life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias, so it requires urgent assessment and treatment.
Correct answer: Serum potassium of 6.2 mmol/L- A. Insert a prescribed urinary catheter
- B. Measure urine output after drainage
- C. Assess the abdomen for bladder distension
- D. Encourage the patient to drink two litres immediately
Explanation: Large additional fluid intake may worsen bladder distension when the patient cannot empty the bladder.
Correct answer: Encourage the patient to drink two litres immediately- A. Inspect the catheter tubing for kinks
- B. Place the patient flat and restrict movement
- C. Add extra dialysate to increase pressure
- D. Stop all future dialysis exchanges
Explanation: A kinked or compressed catheter can obstruct dialysate flow and cause discomfort from poor drainage.
Correct answer: Inspect the catheter tubing for kinks- A. Fluid volume deficit and electrolyte loss
- B. Pulmonary edema and severe hypertension
- C. Hypervolemia and dependent edema
- D. Complete urinary obstruction and anuria
Explanation: During the diuretic phase, the kidneys may produce large amounts of dilute urine without restoring normal concentrating ability.
Correct answer: Fluid volume deficit and electrolyte loss- A. Urinary loss of immunoglobulins weakens defense
- B. Reduced urine flow allows bacteria to multiply
- C. High blood pressure damages the white blood cells
- D. Excess albumin prevents normal antibody production
Explanation: Nephrotic syndrome causes increased glomerular permeability, allowing proteins including immunoglobulins to be lost in urine.
Correct answer: Urinary loss of immunoglobulins weakens defense- A. Warm the solution using a prescribed warming device
- B. Heat the solution rapidly in a household microwave
- C. Refrigerate the solution until the exchange begins
- D. Add antibiotics routinely before every exchange
Explanation: Peritoneal dialysis solution is warmed to body temperature with an approved warming device to reduce abdominal discomfort and cramping.
Correct answer: Warm the solution using a prescribed warming device- A. Limit high-phosphate foods as prescribed
- B. Increase cola drinks to improve hydration
- C. Take phosphate binders only between meals
- D. Add extra dairy products to replace lost protein
Explanation: Phosphate retention in chronic kidney disease can contribute to pruritus and bone-mineral problems.
Correct answer: Limit high-phosphate foods as prescribed- A. Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome
- B. Peritoneal dialysis peritonitis
- C. Renal colic from a ureteric stone
- D. Uncomplicated urinary tract infection
Explanation: Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome can occur when rapid removal of urea causes cerebral fluid shifts, especially during early treatments.
Correct answer: Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome- A. Advise the patient to discuss stopping it with the prescriber
- B. Tell the patient to double the dose with meals
- C. Explain that it protects kidney blood flow
- D. Recommend replacing it with another NSAID
Explanation: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can reduce renal blood flow and worsen kidney injury, particularly in chronic kidney disease.
Correct answer: Advise the patient to discuss stopping it with the prescriber- A. Assess airway, breathing, and oxygen saturation
- B. Measure the abdominal girth and check for edema
- C. Ask about the usual pattern of bowel movements
- D. Inspect the urine for visible sediment
Explanation: Deep, rapid respirations and drowsiness may indicate metabolic acidosis, which can impair breathing and consciousness.
Correct answer: Assess airway, breathing, and oxygen saturation- A. Burning urination with urinary frequency
- B. High fever with chills and flank pain
- C. Costovertebral angle tenderness with vomiting
- D. Sepsis with hypotension and altered consciousness
Explanation: Dysuria and frequency commonly occur with a lower urinary tract infection.
Correct answer: Burning urination with urinary frequency- A. Hemoglobin level
- B. Serum amylase level
- C. Urine ketone level
- D. Total bilirubin level
Explanation: Reduced erythropoietin production by diseased kidneys contributes to anemia, so epoetin alfa is monitored mainly through hemoglobin and…
Correct answer: Hemoglobin level- A. Monitor blood pressure, urine output, and electrolytes
- B. Clamp the catheter for several hours to prevent shock
- C. Encourage a large oral fluid intake without assessment
- D. Remove the catheter immediately after drainage begins
Explanation: Rapid relief of obstruction can be followed by post-obstructive diuresis, causing excessive fluid and electrolyte loss.
Correct answer: Monitor blood pressure, urine output, and electrolytes