Renal Physiology Course for Nurses

Lesson 1 • Microscopic Kidney Structure

Examines nephron architecture and supporting cells at the cellular level. Links microstructure to filtration and reabsorption functions.

Lesson 2 • Renal Vasculature and Blood Supply

Traces arterial and venous pathways through the kidney. Establishes how perfusion patterns directly influence filtration capacity.

Lesson 3 • Gross Anatomy of the Kidneys

Covers macroscopic kidney structure, position, and surrounding tissues. Provides the spatial framework needed for all subsequent physiology content.

Lesson 1 • Overview of Urine Formation

Presents the four-step model of urine production from filtration to excretion. Sets the conceptual scaffold for all subsequent physiological detail.

Lesson 2 • Tubular Secretion Processes

Covers active secretion of ions, drugs, and metabolites into tubular fluid. Connects secretion to drug clearance and toxin elimination relevant to nursing.

Lesson 3 • Tubular Reabsorption Mechanisms

Details active and passive transport processes that reclaim filtered substances. Explains how tubular capacity limits determine clinical thresholds.

Lesson 4 • Glomerular Filtration Mechanics

Explains the forces and barriers controlling filtrate formation at the glomerulus. Directly supports understanding of GFR measurement and renal disease.

Lesson 1 • Antidiuretic Hormone and Osmolality

Explains ADH-mediated water reabsorption and its role in plasma osmolality control. Directly supports nursing management of SIADH and diabetes insipidus.

Lesson 2 • Magnesium and Chloride Handling

Addresses less-emphasised but clinically significant electrolytes managed by the kidney. Reinforces the comprehensive nature of renal electrolyte regulation.

Lesson 3 • Sodium and Water Balance

Examines renal sodium handling and its coupling to water reabsorption. Establishes the link between sodium balance and extracellular fluid volume.

Lesson 4 • Potassium Homeostasis

Describes renal potassium secretion and reabsorption across nephron segments. Prepares nurses to recognise and respond to hypo- and hyperkalemia.

Lesson 1 • Parathyroid Hormone and Vitamin D

Covers PTH and active vitamin D effects on renal calcium and phosphate handling. Connects to bone-kidney axis relevant in chronic kidney disease management.

Lesson 2 • Antidiuretic Hormone Regulation

Details ADH synthesis, release stimuli, and tubular targets beyond osmolality control. Reinforces ADH content from fluid balance with added hormonal depth.

Lesson 3 • Erythropoietin and Renal Endocrine Role

Describes erythropoietin production by peritubular cells and its haematopoietic effects. Explains anaemia of chronic kidney disease as a direct hormonal consequence.

Lesson 4 • Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Actions

Explains ANP release from cardiac atria and its natriuretic and vasodilatory effects. Positions ANP as a counter-regulatory hormone opposing RAAS.

Lesson 1 • Metabolic Acidosis and Alkalosis

Classifies causes and renal responses to primary metabolic pH disturbances. Prepares nurses to identify anion gap and non-anion gap acidosis patterns.

Lesson 2 • Fundamentals of Acid-Base Chemistry

Reviews pH, buffers, and the bicarbonate system as the chemical basis for acid-base balance. Provides the vocabulary needed for clinical interpretation.

Lesson 3 • Respiratory Acid-Base Disorders

Covers respiratory acidosis and alkalosis with renal compensatory responses. Connects pulmonary and renal systems for integrated patient assessment.

Lesson 4 • Clinical Acid-Base Interpretation

Applies a stepwise ABG analysis method to real patient scenarios. Bridges physiological knowledge to bedside nursing decision-making.

Lesson 1 • Fluid Balance and Hemodynamic Assessment

Links systemic haemodynamic parameters to renal perfusion and function. Equips nurses to detect prerenal compromise before laboratory values change.

Lesson 2 • Urine Output Monitoring

Establishes normal urine output ranges and the clinical significance of deviations. Connects output monitoring to fluid balance assessment in acute care.

Lesson 3 • Imaging and Biopsy Overview

Introduces renal ultrasound, CT, and biopsy as diagnostic tools nurses support. Prepares nurses for patient preparation, monitoring, and post-procedure care.

Lesson 4 • Serum Markers of Kidney Function

Examines creatinine, BUN, cystatin C, and their ratios as GFR surrogates. Teaches nurses to identify limitations of each marker in clinical contexts.

Lesson 1 • Postrenal AKI and Obstruction

Covers urinary tract obstruction as a reversible cause of AKI requiring prompt action. Prepares nurses to identify obstruction signs and support decompression procedures.

Lesson 2 • Intrinsic AKI and Tubular Injury

Details acute tubular necrosis, glomerulonephritis, and interstitial nephritis as intrinsic causes. Connects pathological mechanisms to specific nursing assessment findings.

Lesson 3 • AKI Nursing Management

Synthesises assessment, fluid management, medication safety, and monitoring into AKI care. Builds competency in preventing complications and supporting renal recovery.

Lesson 4 • AKI Classification and Staging

Presents KDIGO AKI criteria using creatinine and urine output thresholds. Enables nurses to stage AKI accurately and escalate care appropriately.

Lesson 1 • Mineral and Bone Disorder in CKD

Covers CKD-MBD including abnormal calcium, phosphate, PTH, and bone changes. Connects biochemical disturbances to fracture risk and vascular calcification.

Lesson 2 • CKD Staging and Progression

Applies GFR and albuminuria categories to classify CKD severity and risk. Enables nurses to anticipate complications based on disease stage.

Lesson 3 • Cardiovascular Complications in CKD

Examines the bidirectional relationship between CKD and cardiovascular disease. Prepares nurses to monitor and reduce the leading cause of mortality in CKD patients.

Lesson 4 • CKD Patient Education and Self-Management

Develops nurse-led strategies for dietary counselling, medication adherence, and symptom monitoring. Supports patient autonomy and slows CKD progression through education.

Lesson 5 • Renal Replacement Therapy Options

Compares haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, and kidney transplantation as treatment modalities. Prepares nurses to educate patients on options and provide modality-specific care.