MED2072

Renal medicine

Associate Professor C A Browne, Dr J Raftos (Physiology) and Professor S Holdsworth (Medicine)

Objectives On completion of this subject, students should be able to use the basic principles of renal function to help them understand normal fluid, electrolyte and pH homeostasis; understand the normal structure and development of the renal and urinary system, so that the consequences of specific developmental abnormalities can be appreciated; be able to recognise the situations where renal disease may contribute to a person's illness and understand the underlying causes and effects; recognise the interrelationship between cardiovascular medicine and renal medicine, and appreciate that both specialities need to be considered when evaluating possible blood pressure or volume abnormalities; understand the interrelationship between chemical buffering, respiratory function and renal function in the regulation of pH, and be able to apply this understanding to the diagnosis of acidosis and alkalosis; be able to appreciate the importance of the interpretation of numerical blood electrolyte, blood gas and blood pressure information, in combination with clinical observation and history, in the diagnosis of renal disease.

Synopsis Students are provided with a basic understanding of the fundamental principles of renal function, upon which they can build a knowledge and understanding that will benefit them when they need to apply their knowledge in the clinical situation. In particular, the subject is taught in a way that emphasises both the 'horizontal' integration between renal medicine and cardiovascular, respiratory and endocrinological medicine, and the 'vertical' integration between the basics of renal function and their application in such diverse areas as body volume and blood pressure regulation, electrolyte homeostasis, and acid-base balance within the clinical arena. The subject consists of lectures, problem classes and clinical correlation sessions.

Assessment Examinations (MCQ and short-answer) 2 hrs: 100%

Prescribed texts

Berne R M and Levy M N Physiology 4th edn, Mosby, 1998 or
Koeppen B M and Stanton B A Renal physiology 2nd edn, Mosby, 1997

Back to the 1999 Medicine Handbook