URMC / Encyclopedia / Content Search Encyclopedia How Much Do You Know About Kidney Health? 1. How much blood do your kidneys filter daily? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is One of the functions of your kidneys is to remove waste products and extra fluid from the blood. Waste products come from your diet and normal breakdown of tissues. The kidneys filter about 50 gallons of blood a day. Of that amount, about one-half to 2 quarts of fluid and waste products are removed from the blood. They pass out of the body in urine. A. 15 gallons B. 25 gallons C. 50 gallons D. 125 gallons 2. Your kidneys are part of which system in your body? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is The urinary system is made up of 2 kidneys; 2 ureters, which are thin tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder; the bladder, which stores urine; 2 sphincter muscles that prevent urine from leaking; nerves in the bladder; and the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine outside the body. The kidneys not only remove liquid waste from the blood, but also regulate electrolytes, or minerals; secrete hormones that control blood pressure; stimulate red blood cell production; and help maintain calcium balance. A. Reproductive system B. Respiratory system C. Gastrointestinal tract D. Urinary system 3. What is the most common cause of kidney disease? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is High blood pressure (hypertension) and uncontrolled diabetes can damage the kidneys' small blood vessels so they are unable to filter blood. Over time this can cause kidney failure. Uncontrolled diabetes means high blood sugar over long periods of time. Diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney disease. The most common reason for a kidney transplant is the long-term effects of uncontrolled diabetes. A. Drug abuse and smoking B. High blood pressure C. Uncontrolled diabetes D. B and C 4. How do most kidney-damaging diseases affect the kidneys? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Each kidney contains about a million tiny filtering units called nephrons. A nephron is made up of small tubes and blood vessels. Diseases that affect the kidneys can damage the nephrons. As a result, the kidneys have problems getting rid of waste products. A. They damage nephrons, the kidney's filtering mechanisms B. They damage the bladder C. They damage urethras D. They damage all tissue 5. Which of these races is the most likely to have high blood pressure, which contributes to kidney failure? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Black people are more likely to develop high blood pressure than white people. They also develop high blood pressure earlier in life than white people. A. Whites B. Blacks C. Asians D. Hispanics 6. Which of these over-the-counter (OTC) medicines can damage the kidneys? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is These OTC pain relievers present no danger for most people when taken according to directions. But for people with some health conditions, these medicines may cause kidney problems. Also, if you take these medicines regularly over a long period of time, you may increase your risk for kidney problems. Talk with your healthcare provider about how to safely take these medicines. A. Acetaminophen B. Aspirin C. Ibuprofen D. All of these 7. If you have decreased kidney function, you should monitor which of these in your diet? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is People who have decreased function of their kidneys may need to monitor the protein in their diet. Sodium, found in salt, may raise your blood pressure. High blood pressure can damage the kidneys. Talk with your healthcare provider to be sure you’re getting the correct nutrition. And talk with them to be sure you are making the appropriate changes in your diet to help your kidneys work well. A. Protein B. Sodium C. Food dyes D. A and B 8. The most common kind of kidney stone occurs as a result of a chemical reaction that causes urine to crystallize. Which type of stones make up the majority of those that develop? You didn't answer this question. You answered The correct answer is Kidney stones are more common in people assigned male at birth than in those assigned female at birth. If you don't drink enough fluids, you may be at an increased risk for kidney stones. A. Calcium stones B. Cystine stones C. Nitrogen stones D. None of the above Your score was: Medical Reviewers: Felson, Sabrina, MD Sather, Rita, RN Turley, Raymond Kent, BSN, MSN, RN