Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

Which factors contribute to headache, anorexia, and lethargy with kidney disease?

1. Increased blood pressure.

2. Elevated serum urea.

3. Anemia.

4. All of the above.

The correct answer is: All of the above.

The presence of headache, anorexia, and lethargy in individuals with kidney disease can be attributed to several interrelated factors that collectively impact the body's overall health. Increased blood pressure is a common consequence of kidney disease due to the kidneys' role in regulating fluid balance and blood pressure through the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Elevated blood pressure can lead to headaches and contribute to overall discomfort, which may result in reduced appetite and lethargy. Elevated serum urea, a marker of kidney function, indicates the accumulation of urea and other nitrogenous waste products in the bloodstream due to impaired kidney filtration. This buildup can lead to uremic symptoms, including nausea and loss of appetite (anorexia), as well as fatigue and general malaise. Anemia, often seen in patients with chronic kidney disease due to diminished erythropoietin production by the damaged kidneys, leads to decreased oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. The resulting reduction in oxygen delivery to tissues can cause symptoms such as lethargy and decreased energy levels. When considering all these factors together, they form a comprehensive picture of how kidney disease can manifest through headaches, loss of appetite, and feelings of fatigue. Therefore, it