This document defines and explains several key abbreviations related to the urinary system: ARF (acute renal failure), BUN (blood urea nitrogen), cath (catheterization), CRF (chronic renal failure), and H2O (water). It provides details on what each abbreviation stands for and describes associated medical conditions and diagnostic tests. The document serves as a reference for several important terms in nephrology.

1. Urinary System
Abbreviations
Chapter 9 Presentation
Peter Mavrikos

2. Abbreviations Covered
● ARF – Acute Renal Failure
● BUN – Blood Urea Nitrogen
● cath – Catheterization
● CRF – Chronic Renal Failure
● H2O – Water

3. ARF – Acute Renal Failure
Acute Renal Failure is the sudden onset of the inability of the
kidneys to filter waste, often recognized by a lack of urination
(oliguria).
Causes can include physical trauma to the kidneys or chemical
injury in the case of an overdose of medications. In general, some
form of interruption causes the loss of function in the kidneys.
While some form of support is needed, possibly in the form of
dialysis, while the kidneys are recovering from injury, a patient is
often able to recover from acute renal failure.

4. BUN – Blood Urea Nitrogen
The BUN test is a blood test used to help assess kidney function.
Specifically the test measures the amount of nitrogen in the blood
where it is found as urea.
Since kidneys filter out urea, an elevated BUN level denotes that
there is some problem with their normal function. Often run in
tandem with the creatinine clearance test, the levels of BUN and
creatinine (another waste product filtered out by the kidneys) are
compared to help diagnose problems.
The test is administered by a standard blood draw from a vein and
analyzed in the laboratory along with any other tests ordered.

5. cath – Catheterization
Catheterization in general is the process by which some form of
tubing is inserted in the body for the purpose of removing or adding
fluids. There are many types of catheters that can be used in the
various bodily systems such as the heart, the cranium, or the
bladder.
In the case of the urinary system, catheterization generally refers to
inserting a tube into the urethra to allow urine to drain freely from
the bladder. Often, a type of catheter called a Foley Catheter is
used. This type of catheter has a small balloon near the tip which is
inflated to allow the catheter to remain in place.
Urethral catheterization is indicated for urinary retention, certain
diagnostic tests, monitoring of urine output, and situations in which
a patient is not able to move freely.

6. CRF – Chronic Renal Failure
Chronic Renal Failure is the loss of kidney function over time due to
various causes such as disease or other chronic conditions such as
diabetes or high blood pressure.
CRF is measured in five stages, corresponding to the efficiency of
filtration in the kidneys, with 5 being the least efficient. At stage 5,
the patient needs regular dialysis to remove the waste products
from the blood and could potentially be a candidate for kidney
transplant.
Various tests are used to diagnoze CRF including tests for
metabolic products in the blood, kidney tissue biopsy, and imaging
of the urinary system components to asses the condition of the
kidneys.

7. H20 – Water
H2O is the common abbreviation for water. It also represents the
molecular formula of water, which consists of two hydrogen atoms
and one oxygen atom covalently bonded.
Water is one of the most important molecules in the body. Our
blood consists of roughly 50% plasma and 50% blood cells. Of this
plasma, the majority is pure water.
Water is used to transport substances in the body and in our cells,
assist us in cooling, help us excrete toxins and metabolic
byproducts, and many other necessary functions.

8. References
● http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renal_failure
● http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/blood-urea-nitrogen
● http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003474.htm
● http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catheter
● http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000471.htm
● http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_kidney_disease