Glomerulonephritis, Research Paper Example

Introduction

Glomerulonephritis is a condition that involves inflammation of the glomeruli, the part of the kidneys that are responsible for filtering waste and fluid; therefore, this condition impacts the ability of the kidneys to perform this role and may cause kidney damage over the long term (Mayo Clinic, 2015). The condition may be acute in nature or chronic, is also called glomerular disease, and may be secondary in nature as a result of diabetes or lupus (Mayo Clinic, 2015). The condition may be exacerbated and contribute to kidney failure and further complications in some patients where the condition has not been diagnosed and/or treatments are not successful (Mayo Clinic, 2015).

Body

Patients who suffer from glomerulonephritis often experience symptoms such as puffiness in the face, urine that contains blood, and a lower frequency of urination (National Kidney Foundation, 2015). In addition, fluid retention in the hands and feet, fatigue, and hypertension are also common for patients, and the chronic version of the disease may exhibit signs of kidney failure that include poor appetite, vomiting, dry skin, and muscle cramps (National Kidney Foundation, 2015). These symptoms are reflective of the serious nature of the condition and require treatment in order to prevent further damage and complications to the kidneys and to other organs.

Glomerulonephritis is diagnosed through urinalysis and examination of sediment, including an examination of protein, red blood cells, white blood cells, granular casts, oval fat bodies, and acanthocytes within the urine, all of which may be signs of the disease within the kidneys (Parmar, 2015). In addition, blood tests should be conducted that include complete blood count; complement levels of C3, C4, and CH50; blood urea nitrogen, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (Parmar, 2015). Other testing procedures may also include the antinuclear antibody test, triglycerides, hepatitis B, chest radiography in patients who present with a cough, CT scan in patients who present with mental difficulties, and renal ultrasonography, among others (Parmar, 2015). These tests are utilized in different cases in order to obtain accuracy in the results and an ability to understand the nature and severity of the disease state for patients.

Patients with glomerulonephritis also require an appropriate course of treatment that is determined by physicians and other health professionals in order to emphasize the treatment of chronic infection, along with dialysis for patients as necessary (Parmar, 2015). Nurses often work in collaboration with patients in order to address the need for outpatient therapies that include monitoring of renal function, blood pressure levels, serum albumin, edema, and urine protein excretion rate, among others (Parmar, 2015). It is important for patients to receive the best possible treatment that is available that will meet their specific needs and for nurses to provide and support and administer the most appropriate plan of care to improve outcomes for this patient population.

Conclusion

Patients with glomerulonephritis may also require different types of medication that include antibiotics such as Penicillin, Cephalexin, and Erythromycin; loop diuretics such as Furosemide; vasodilators such as sodium nitroprusside and hydralazine; and calcium channel blockers such as Nifedipine, or a combination thereof in order to treat the condition and to minimize long-term risks and complications (Parmar, 2015). This disease is complex in nature and requires and effective understanding of the diagnosis and treatment plan in order to achieve the intended outcomes for patients.

References

Mayo Clinic (2015). Glomerulonephritis. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/glomerulonephritis/basics/symptoms/con-20024691

National Kidney Foundation (2015). Glomerulonephritis. Retrieved from https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/glomeru

Parmar, M.S. (2015). Acute glomerulonephritis. Retrieved from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/239278-overview