PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

Which syndrome is characterized by proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and edema?

1. Nephritic syndrome

2. Nephrotic syndrome

3. Chronic kidney disease

4. Acute kidney injury

The correct answer is: Nephrotic syndrome

The distinguishing features of nephrotic syndrome include proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, and edema, which are key clinical manifestations. In nephrotic syndrome, patients experience significant loss of protein in the urine, typically greater than 3.5 grams per day. This loss leads to low levels of albumin in the blood (hypoalbuminemia), as the liver cannot compensate for the protein loss. The reduced serum albumin negatively impacts oncotic pressure, causing fluid to leak into the interstitial spaces, which manifests as edema. This syndrome is often associated with a variety of underlying disorders, such as minimal change disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, or membranous nephropathy, all of which compromise the kidney's filtering ability, leading to the classic triad of symptoms. The understanding of these mechanisms is crucial for identifying and managing nephrotic syndrome effectively in clinical practice.