A patient with kidney failure has been found to have 4+ protein in their urine. The nurse recognizes this finding as indicating:

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

AIIMS NORCET 7 Prelims Memory Based Paper 2024

Answer 1

Correct Answer: Nephrotic syndrome

Rationale:

Nephrotic syndrome is a kidney disorder that causes the body to excrete too much protein in the urine. It is characterized by heavy proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema.
A finding of 4+ protein in the urine is indicative of severe proteinuria, which is a hallmark of nephrotic syndrome. This level of proteinuria suggests significant damage to the glomeruli, the filtering units of the kidneys.

Explanation of Other Options:

Mild proteinuria

Rationale: Mild proteinuria refers to a small amount of protein in the urine, usually less than 1 gram per day. It is not as severe and may be associated with conditions like mild kidney disease or temporary conditions such as dehydration or stress.

Severe proteinuria

Rationale: Severe proteinuria is characterized by a higher amount of protein in the urine, often greater than 3.5 grams per day. While this is a significant finding, it is a symptom rather than a diagnosis. Nephrotic syndrome is a specific diagnosis that includes severe proteinuria as one of its criteria.

Chronic kidney disease

Rationale: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-term condition characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function over time. While proteinuria can be a feature of CKD, it is not exclusive to it, and CKD encompasses a broader range of symptoms and diagnostic criteria, including decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and structural kidney damage.

Conclusion:

A finding of 4+ protein in the urine is most indicative of nephrotic syndrome, a condition characterized by severe proteinuria along with other features like hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema. While severe proteinuria is a significant symptom, it is the combination of symptoms that defines nephrotic syndrome. Mild proteinuria and chronic kidney disease, while related, do not specifically describe the severity and specific symptoms of nephrotic syndrome.