All Human Anatomy and Physiology Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Help With Kidney Physiology
Which of the following is not considered to be a function of the kidney?
Maintaining fluid levels in the body
Stimulation of red blood cell production
Regulation of blood osmolarity
Conversion of angiotensinogen to angiotensin I
Thermoregulation
Thermoregulation
The human kidney has many functions, all of which are important for sustaining life. The kidney controls blood osmolarity by filtering, reabsorbing, and secreting various ions found throughout the body. The kidney controls fluid volume in the body by this same mechanism. Additionally, the kidney produces erythropoietin and renin which stimulate the production of red blood cells and convert angiotensinogen to angiotensin I, respectively.
Example Question #2 : Help With Kidney Physiology
Which of the following is the outermost layer of the kidney?
Renal sinus
Renal cortex
Renal medulla
Renal pyramid
Renal capsule
Renal capsule
The renal capsule is the outermost structure of the kidney. It is the fibrous connective tissue kidney structure that directly surrounds the renal cortex, and is surrounded by a layer of adipose tissue that protects the kidney from trauma. The renal pyramids, renal sinus, and renal medulla are located deep within the kidney.
Example Question #3 : Help With Kidney Physiology
Which of the following kidney structures is the connection point between the bladder and the kidney itself?
Renal pelvis
Renal medulla
Urethra
Collecting duct
Ureter
Ureter
The urine made within the kidney drains out from the renal pelvis and down the ureter to ultimately be stored in the bladder.
Example Question #2 : Help With Kidney Physiology
A patient presents with severe diarrhea and his test results show a significant loss of . It is likely that the physician will diagnose the patient with:
Respiratory acidosis
Metabolic alkalosis
Metabolic acidosis
Respiratory alkalosis
Cystic fibrosis
Metabolic acidosis
A very large loss of from the patient will lead to a drastic decrease in pH. Therefore, all alkalosis disorders can be ruled out. Additionally, because the pH decrease is unrelated to an increase in carbon dioxide, it is not a respiratory issue - leaving only metabolic acidosis as a diagnosis. Cystic fibrosis involves the overproduction of thick mucous, which causes severe respiratory pathology; other systems are affected too, but excess bicarbonate secretion is not associated with this genetic disease.
Example Question #3 : Help With Kidney Physiology
Obstruction in the ureters will have what effect on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?
Increased GFR
Unchanged GFR
Decreased GFR
None of the other answers
GFR increases to
Decreased GFR
Obstruction bilaterally in the ureters leads to decreased GFR due to increased pressure retrograde from the ureters. Bowman space pressure increases to override the GFR pressure. Bowman space pressure does not favor filtration versus GFR pressure (favors filtration).
Example Question #4 : Help With Kidney Physiology
Which of the following is the best estimate for serum osmolality?
Serum osmolality is best estimated at around