Nephrotic syndrome
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
Renal / Urinary / Electrolyteshigh priorityneeds review
Nephrotic syndrome
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Glomerular filtration barrier injury allows heavy protein loss in urine.
- Protein loss lowers oncotic pressure, causing edema, hyperlipidemia, and infection or clot risk.
Medications
| Class | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Corticosteroids | Common therapy for selected nephrotic causes, especially minimal change disease. |
Signs / symptoms
- Massive proteinuria, edema, low albumin, high lipids.
- Frothy urine and periorbital swelling.
Nursing actions
- Assess edema, daily weight, urine output, blood pressure, infection signs, and respiratory status if severe edema.
- Monitor urine protein, albumin, kidney function, and lipid findings as ordered.
- Teach low-sodium plan when ordered and infection prevention.
Complications
- Infection
- Thromboembolism
- AKI
- Severe edema or pulmonary edema
NCLEX cues
- Massive proteinuria, edema, low albumin, high lipids.
- Frothy urine and periorbital swelling.
Memory hooks
- Nephrotic leaks protein and swells.
Labs / Diagnostics
- Urinalysis protein
- Serum albumin
- Creatinine
- Lipids
- Daily weights
Review notes
- Supplemental wife-requested study card. Use for NCLEX review only and verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy.
Cross references
Related cards are generated from the shared study map, not hand-built per page.
Source entitycondition card
Nephrotic syndrome
Condition card for Nephrotic syndrome: recognize the testable cue, prevent the complication, and choose the safest first nursing action.
Termcondition cue
Albumin
Major blood protein made by the liver that helps maintain oncotic pressure.
Termcondition cue
Edema
Fluid accumulation in tissues.
Med classmedication safety
Corticosteroids
Suppresses inflammation and immune activity; systemic use affects glucose, infection risk, and adrenal response.