MONASH UNIVERSITY FACULTY HANDBOOKS
Medicine Handbook 1996
Published by Monash University
Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
MED2072
Renal medicine
Dr C A Browne (Physiology)
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, practical classes, 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 3rd edn, Mosby, 1993
Recommended texts
- Brenner B M and Rector F The kidney 3rd edn, Saunders, 1986
- Vander A J Renal physiology 3rd edn, McGraw-Hill, 1985
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