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🏥 MBBS General Medicine — NEPHROLOGY
University Examination Question Bank
Topic-wise & System-wise Organized | Exam-Ready Format
📌 SECTION 1: ESSAY QUESTIONS (Long Answer Questions)
🔷 A. GLOMERULAR DISEASES
1. ★ Nephrotic Syndrome
- Define nephrotic syndrome. Enumerate its causes. Describe the pathophysiology of edema in nephrotic syndrome. Discuss the management of a child with nephrotic syndrome. (Most repeated)
- A 5-year-old boy presents with puffiness of face and pedal edema for 2 weeks. Urine shows 4+ proteinuria. Discuss the diagnosis, investigations, and treatment.
2. ★ Nephritic Syndrome / Acute Glomerulonephritis
- Define nephritic syndrome. Describe the etiopathogenesis, clinical features, investigations, and management of Acute Post-Streptococcal Glomerulonephritis (APSGN).
- Compare and contrast nephrotic and nephritic syndrome. Discuss the indications for renal biopsy.
3. ★ IgA Nephropathy (Berger's Disease)
- Describe the pathogenesis, clinical features, histopathology, and management of IgA nephropathy.
4. Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis (RPGN)
- Classify RPGN. Describe the pathogenesis, investigations, and management of RPGN with emphasis on crescentic glomerulonephritis.
5. Membranous Nephropathy
- Describe the etiology, pathology, clinical features, investigations, and management of membranous nephropathy.
🔷 B. ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY (AKI)
6. ★ Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
- Define AKI. Classify based on KDIGO criteria (RIFLE/AKIN). Describe the etiology, pathophysiology of Acute Tubular Necrosis (ATN), and management of oliguric AKI. (Highly repeated)
- A 40-year-old man develops oliguria after a road traffic accident. Discuss the diagnosis and management of AKI.
7. Acute Tubular Necrosis (ATN)
- Describe the pathophysiology, clinical stages, and management of acute tubular necrosis. Compare ischemic vs. nephrotoxic ATN.
8. Hepatorenal Syndrome
- Define hepatorenal syndrome. Classify (Type I and II). Discuss pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria, and management.
🔷 C. CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE (CKD)
9. ★ Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
- Define CKD. Classify using GFR-based staging (KDIGO). Describe the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, complications, and management of CKD including renal replacement therapy. (Most repeatedly asked essay)
- Discuss the cardiovascular complications of CKD and their management.
10. ★ Anemia of Chronic Kidney Disease
- Describe the pathogenesis of anemia in CKD. Discuss the role of erythropoietin, iron therapy, and blood transfusion in its management.
11. Renal Osteodystrophy / CKD-MBD
- Describe the pathogenesis of renal osteodystrophy (CKD-Mineral Bone Disorder). Discuss the role of secondary hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D deficiency, and hyperphosphatemia. Outline management.
12. Dialysis
- Describe the principles, indications, contraindications, and complications of hemodialysis. Compare hemodialysis with peritoneal dialysis.
🔷 D. HYPERTENSION AND THE KIDNEY
13. ★ Hypertensive Nephrosclerosis
- Discuss the renal manifestations of hypertension. Describe benign vs. malignant nephrosclerosis and their management.
14. Renovascular Hypertension
- Describe the causes, pathophysiology (RAAS activation), clinical features, investigations, and management of renovascular hypertension.
🔷 E. RENAL TUBULAR DISORDERS
15. Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA)
- Classify RTA (Type I, II, IV). Describe the pathogenesis, clinical features, investigations, and management of each type.
16. Fanconi Syndrome
- Describe the pathogenesis, causes, clinical features, and management of Fanconi syndrome.
🔷 F. URINARY TRACT AND METABOLIC
17. ★ Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
- Describe the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, investigations, and management of UTI. Discuss the differences between upper and lower UTI.
18. ★ Nephrolithiasis (Renal Calculi)
- Classify renal calculi. Describe the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, investigations, and management. Discuss metabolic evaluation and prevention.
19. Diabetic Nephropathy
- Describe the stages (Mogensen's classification), pathophysiology, clinical features, and management of diabetic nephropathy.
🔷 G. MISCELLANEOUS / SYSTEMIC DISEASES
20. ★ Renal Involvement in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
- Describe the WHO classification of lupus nephritis. Discuss the clinical features, investigations, and management of each class.
21. Multiple Myeloma and the Kidney
- Describe the renal manifestations of multiple myeloma. Discuss pathogenesis of cast nephropathy and management.
22. Renal Transplantation
- Describe the indications, contraindications, types of rejection, and management of renal transplantation.
📌 SECTION 2: SHORT NOTES (25 Questions)
| # | Topic | Priority |
|---|
| 1 | Minimal Change Disease (Lipoid Nephrosis) | ★★ |
| 2 | Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) | ★★ |
| 3 | KDIGO Classification of AKI | ★★ |
| 4 | RIFLE Criteria for AKI | ★ |
| 5 | Urine Anion Gap and its significance | ★ |
| 6 | Fractional Excretion of Sodium (FENa) | ★★ |
| 7 | Renal Replacement Therapy - Indications (AEIOU mnemonic) | ★★ |
| 8 | Peritoneal Dialysis - types and complications | ★★ |
| 9 | Erythropoietin - role in CKD anemia | ★★ |
| 10 | Secondary Hyperparathyroidism in CKD | ★★ |
| 11 | Calciphylaxis (Calcific Uremic Arteriolopathy) | ★ |
| 12 | Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) - measurement and estimation | ★★ |
| 13 | Alport Syndrome | ★★ |
| 14 | Thin Basement Membrane Disease | ★ |
| 15 | Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) | ★★ |
| 16 | Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) vs HUS | ★★ |
| 17 | Cystinuria | ★ |
| 18 | Bartter Syndrome | ★ |
| 19 | Gitelman Syndrome | ★ |
| 20 | Contrast-Induced Nephropathy (CIN) | ★★ |
| 21 | NSAID-induced nephropathy | ★★ |
| 22 | Aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity | ★★ |
| 23 | Renal Papillary Necrosis - causes and features | ★★ |
| 24 | Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR) | ★ |
| 25 | Goodpasture's Syndrome (Anti-GBM disease) | ★★ |
📌 SECTION 3: SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (25 Questions)
| # | Question | Priority |
|---|
| 1 | Define nephrotic syndrome and list its four cardinal features. | ★★ |
| 2 | List the causes of nephrotic syndrome in adults vs. children. | ★★ |
| 3 | What is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children? What is its treatment? | ★★ |
| 4 | Define AKI and give the KDIGO staging criteria. | ★★ |
| 5 | What are the indications for urgent dialysis (AEIOU)? | ★★ |
| 6 | Differentiate prerenal, intrinsic renal, and postrenal AKI using urine indices. | ★★ |
| 7 | Define CKD and list its KDIGO stages based on GFR. | ★★ |
| 8 | What is the Cockcroft-Gault formula? How is eGFR calculated? | ★★ |
| 9 | Name 4 causes of hematuria. Classify glomerular vs. non-glomerular causes. | ★ |
| 10 | What is uremia? List the features of uremic syndrome. | ★★ |
| 11 | What is the role of ACE inhibitors/ARBs in diabetic nephropathy? | ★★ |
| 12 | What are the electrocardiographic changes in hyperkalemia? | ★★ |
| 13 | Describe the management of hyperkalemia. | ★★ |
| 14 | What is the triad of Goodpasture's syndrome? Name the antibody involved. | ★★ |
| 15 | What are the light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and electron microscopy findings in minimal change disease? | ★★ |
| 16 | What is the 'tram-track' appearance on renal biopsy? In which condition is it seen? | ★★ |
| 17 | Define oliguria. What is the daily urine output threshold? | ★ |
| 18 | What is the significance of red cell casts in urine? | ★★ |
| 19 | List 4 renal complications of diabetes mellitus. | ★★ |
| 20 | What are the Mogensen stages of diabetic nephropathy? | ★★ |
| 21 | What is the treatment of acute post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis? | ★★ |
| 22 | What are the complications of peritoneal dialysis? | ★★ |
| 23 | Name 4 causes of secondary hyperaldosteronism with renal origin. | ★ |
| 24 | What is the mechanism of proteinuria in nephrotic syndrome? | ★★ |
| 25 | What is Scribner shunt? What is the role of AV fistula in dialysis? | ★ |
📊 HIGH-YIELD SUMMARY TABLE
| Topic | Exam Weight | Most Likely Format |
|---|
| Nephrotic Syndrome | ★★★ | Essay + Short Note |
| AKI / ATN | ★★★ | Essay + Short Answer |
| CKD & Complications | ★★★ | Essay |
| Dialysis (HD vs PD) | ★★ | Short Note + SAQ |
| Diabetic Nephropathy | ★★★ | Essay + Short Note |
| IgA Nephropathy | ★★ | Short Note |
| Goodpasture's Syndrome | ★★ | Short Note |
| Lupus Nephritis | ★★ | Short Note + SAQ |
| Renal Tubular Acidosis | ★★ | Short Note |
| Nephrolithiasis | ★★ | Essay + SAQ |
| UTI | ★★ | Essay |
| RPGN | ★★ | Short Note |
| HUS/TTP | ★★ | Short Note |
| Renal Osteodystrophy | ★★ | Short Note |
| Alport Syndrome | ★ | Short Note |
🔑 MNEMONICS FOR EXAM
AEIOU - Indications for Emergency Dialysis:
- A - Acidosis (severe, pH < 7.1)
- E - Electrolytes (hyperkalemia refractory to treatment)
- I - Intoxication (dialyzable poisons: lithium, salicylates, methanol, ethylene glycol)
- O - Overload (fluid overload refractory to diuretics)
- U - Uremia (pericarditis, encephalopathy, bleeding)
4 Cardinal Features of Nephrotic Syndrome:
- Proteinuria (>3.5 g/day in adults), Hypoalbuminemia, Edema, Hyperlipidemia/Lipiduria
MUDPILES - Causes of High AG Metabolic Acidosis (common in CKD):
- Methanol, Uremia, DKA, Propylene glycol, Isoniazid/Iron, Lactic acidosis, Ethylene glycol, Salicylates
📝 REVISION NOTES: KEY FACTS TO MEMORIZE
| Fact | Value |
|---|
| Normal GFR | 125 mL/min (or ~90-120 mL/min/1.73m²) |
| CKD definition | GFR <60 mL/min for >3 months OR kidney damage markers |
| Oliguria threshold | <400 mL/day (or <0.5 mL/kg/hr) |
| Anuria | <100 mL/day |
| Nephrotic proteinuria | >3.5 g/day (adults) / >40 mg/m²/hr (children) |
| Most common cause nephrotic - child | Minimal Change Disease |
| Most common cause nephrotic - adult | Membranous Nephropathy (idiopathic); FSGS (secondary) |
| Most common cause RPGN | Type III (pauci-immune, ANCA-associated) |
| Diabetic nephropathy marker | Microalbuminuria (30-300 mg/day) = Stage 3 |
| IgA nephropathy antibody | Galactose-deficient IgA1 |
| Goodpasture antibody | Anti-GBM (anti-type IV collagen, α3 chain) |
| Classic cast in AKI-ATN | Muddy brown granular casts |
| Classic cast in nephritic | Red cell casts (RBC casts) |
| Classic cast in nephrotic | Oval fat bodies, fatty casts, waxy casts |
| Tram-track biopsy finding | Membranoproliferative GN (MPGN) |
| "Wire loop" lesion on biopsy | Lupus nephritis (Class III/IV) |
| "Spike and dome" pattern (EM/IF) | Membranous Nephropathy |
| "Effacement of foot processes" (EM) | Minimal Change Disease |
| "Crescent" formation on biopsy | RPGN |
| Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome | Rapid HD causing cerebral edema |
Exam Tip: Essays on Nephrotic Syndrome, AKI, CKD, and Diabetic Nephropathy are the most repeatedly asked topics across almost all Indian universities (Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, AIIMS, MUHS, KU, RGUHS). Always structure answers with Definition → Classification → Etiology → Pathophysiology → Clinical Features → Investigations → Management → Complications → Prognosis.