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Renal Anatomy and Overview of Nephron Function
(Vol 30/No. 2. On-line test expires: 02/20/2005)
To receive continuing education credit, you must read the information in this article and take an on-line post test and fill out an on-line program evaluation form. The certificate will then be generated for you as a .pdf file which you can print out locally on your computer.

CE Certification by ANNA requires a handling charge that must be paid by credit card. Pricing information is available by clicking on the "Post-Test Evaluation" link below.
  DOWNLOAD TEST ARTICLE
Please download and print the PDF file below:
  AUTHOR
Christine Chmielewski, MS, CRNP, CNN, CS

Christine Chmielewski, MS, CRNP, CNN, CS, is a Nephrology Nurse Practitioner with Edward J. Filippone, MD, PC and Associates in Philadelphia, PA.

 
  OUTLINE

The kidneys are highly vascularized organs that are responsible for maintaining the body's internal environment. The nephron is the basic structural and functional unit of the kidney involved in the complex interplay between tubular and vascular components resulting in the excretion of fluid and solutes. The regulation of body fluid and solutes is governed by the processes of filtration, reabsorption, and secretion. Unwanted fluid and substances are excreted from the body as urine.

Editor's Note: This article introduces an 8-part renal physiology continuing education series to run in the Nephrology Nursing Journal through 2003 and 2004. The articles, which are updates of manuscripts that previously appeared in the journal, are written by experts in nephrology and contain the most up-to-date information and research available. The topics to be addressed are:

  • Hemodynamics and glomerular filtration
  • Concentration and dilution of urine
  • Acidification
  • Extra cellular fluid regulation
  • Potassium regulation
  • Calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium regulation
  • Aging effects on the kidney
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Take on-line Quiz:
  CE RELATED INFORMATION
This offering for 1.5 contact hours is being provided by the American Nephrology Nurses’ Association (ANNA), which is accredited as a provider and approver of continuing education in nursing by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center-Commission on Accreditation (ANCCCOA). This educational activity is approved by most states and specialty organizations that recognize the ANCC-COA accreditation process. ANNA is an approved provider of continuing education in nursing by the California Board of Registered Nursing, BRN Provider No. 00910; and the Kansas State Board of Nursing, Provider No. LT0148-0738. This offering is accepted for RN and LPN relicensure in Kansas.

  EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

Goal:
To discuss the basic anatomy and physiology of the kidney.

 Objectives:
1. Identify the anatomic components of the renal system.
2. Describe the functional components of the nephron.
3. Explain the various processes involved in urine formation.
AUTHOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

Christine Chmielewski has no conflicts of interest to disclose.

 ANNA and HDCN CE POLICY STATEMENTS

The CE policy and disclosure statements of the American Nephrology Nurses' Association are given in detail on the Symposium Home Page. The CE policy statements of HDCN are listed on this page.