PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

What is a common cause of nephritic syndrome?

1. Crescentic glomerulonephritis

2. Chronic kidney disease

3. Acute tubular necrosis

4. Interstitial nephritis

The correct answer is: Crescentic glomerulonephritis

A common cause of nephritic syndrome is crescentic glomerulonephritis, which is characterized by the presence of crescent-shaped structures in the glomeruli due to the proliferation of cells in the Bowman’s capsule. This condition typically results from severe glomerular inflammation and can be associated with various underlying causes, including autoimmune diseases like Goodpasture syndrome and vasculitis. Nephritic syndrome itself is defined by a combination of symptoms such as hematuria, red blood cell casts, proteinuria, hypertension, and edema, resulting from inflammatory changes in the glomeruli that impair kidney function. Crescentic glomerulonephritis represents a rapidly progressive form of glomerulonephritis that falls under this umbrella of nephritic syndrome due to its prominent inflammatory component and its manifestations of kidney injury, reinforcing its association as a notable cause. In contrast, chronic kidney disease encompasses a broad range of kidney impairments but does not specifically lead to the acute inflammatory signs found in nephritic syndrome. Acute tubular necrosis primarily affects the renal tubules rather than the glomeruli, thus presenting with different clinical features. Interstitial nephritis involves inflammation of the renal interstitium, which also does not align strictly with the typical presentations