Nephrologist Interview Questions & Answers

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A waxy, fat-like substance in your blood. Your body needs some cholesterol, but too much cholesterol can raise your risk for heart disease and kidney disease. A normal total cholesterol is less than 200.3

An uncommon disease that usually includes bleeding from the lungs, coughing up of blood, and inflammation of the kidneys that can lead to kidney failure. This condition is an autoimmune disease.

The ideal weight for a person after a hemodialysis (see dialysis) treatment. The weight at which a person’s blood pressure is normal and no swelling exists because all excess fluid has been removed.

A genetic disorder in which clusters of cysts develop primarily within the kidneys, leading to high blood pressure and kidney failure.

A test that measures how efficiently the kidneys remove creatinine and other wastes from the blood. Low creatinine clearance indicates impaired kidney function.

An inherited disorder characterized by many grape-like clusters of fluid-filled cysts that make both kidneys larger over time. These cysts take over and destroy working kidney tissue. PKD may cause chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease.

A type of kidney disease that involves the glomeruli, very small, important structures in the kidneys that supply blood flow to the small units in the kidneys that filter urine.

A natural chemical produced in one part of the body and released into the blood to trigger or regulate particular functions of the body. The kidney releases three hormones: erythropoietin, renin, and an active form of vitamin D that helps regulate calcium for bones.

A syndrome in which the kidney filters insufficiently remove waste and excess fluids from the blood before sending them to the bladder as urine.

A type of waste in the blood that comes from using your muscles in everyday activities. Healthy kidneys clean creatinine from the blood. When your kidneys are not working, creatinine can build up in your blood.

A disorder resulting in an imbalance of minerals in the body, potentially leading to damage to vital body systems, such as the muscles and brain.

Your heart pumps blood through tubes called arteries and veins. The pumped blood makes pressure inside your arteries. This is called blood pressure. When your blood pressure is checked, it tells how hard your heart is working to pump your blood. For people with diabetes, a normal blood pressure is less than 130/80.2

Total and permanent kidney failure. When the kidneys fail, the body retains fluid and harmful wastes build up. A person with ESRD needs treatment to replace the work of the failed kidneys.

Inflammation of the kidney cells that are not part of the fluid-collecting units, a condition that can lead to acute renal failure or chronic kidney disease.

A tool for examining the bladder and ureters and for removing kidney stones through the urethra. The procedure is called ureteroscopy (yoo-ree-tur-AH-skoh-pee).

Inflammation of the kidneys caused by an autoimmune disease called systemic lupus erythematosus (eh-rih-theh-mah-TOH-sis). The condition can cause hematuria and proteinuria, and it may progress to end-stage renal disease.

A tube inserted through the skin into a blood vessel or cavity to draw out body fluid or infuse fluid. In peritoneal dialysis (see dialysis), a catheter is used to infuse dialysis solution into the abdominal cavity and drain it out again.

Chemicals in the body fluids that result from the breakdown of salts, including sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride. The kidneys control the amount of electrolytes in the body. When the kidneys fail, electrolytes get out of balance, causing potentially serious health problems. Dialysis can correct this problem.

A number based on your blood test for creatinine. It tells how well your kidneys are working. An eGFR less than 60 for 3 months or more may be a sign of kidney disease

Replacement of a diseased organ with a healthy one. A kidney transplant may come from a living donor, usually a relative, or from someone who has just died.

Abnormal fluid-filled sacs in the kidney that range in size from microscopic to much larger. Many simple cysts are harmless, while other types can seriously damage the kidneys.

An x ray of the urinary tract. A dye is injected to make the kidneys, ureters, and bladder visible on the x ray and show any blockage in the urinary tract.

A disease that affects the blood and blood vessels. It destroys red blood cells, cells that cause the blood to clot, and the lining of blood vessels. HUS is often caused by the Escherichia coli bacterium in contaminated food. People with HUS may develop acute renal failure.

A disease that keeps the body from making or using insulin correctly. Your body needs insulin to get energy from sugar in the foods you eat. If your body can’t make or use insulin correctly, sugar can build up in your blood and cause problems.

A condition in which a protein-like material builds up in one or more organs. This material cannot be broken down and interferes with the normal function of that organ. People who have been on dialysis for several years often develop amyloidosis because the artificial membranes used in dialysis fail to filter the protein-like material out of the blood.