Lupus nephritis is characterized by which of the following?

Lupus nephritis is characterized by which of the following?

• A. Increased creatinine and BUN with abnormal urinalysis (protein, RBCs)
• B. Normal kidney function with high blood pressure
• C. Pancreatic enzymes elevation
• D. Hypokalemia with low creatinine

Answer: (A)

Lupus nephritis involves inflammation of the kidneys from systemic lupus erythematosus, which damages the glomeruli and reduces filtration. This appears as decreased kidney function with elevated BUN and creatinine, plus an abnormal urinalysis showing protein in the urine and red blood cells (often with RBCs or casts). In other words, it’s a pattern of impaired filtration accompanied by urine abnormalities due to glomerular injury. Other options don’t fit because normal kidney function with high blood pressure doesn’t reflect the inflammatory kidney injury seen in lupus nephritis, pancreatic enzyme elevation points to pancreatitis, and hypokalemia with low creatinine isn’t the typical renal pattern associated with lupus nephritis.

Lupus nephritis involves inflammation of the kidneys from systemic lupus erythematosus, which damages the glomeruli and reduces filtration. This appears as decreased kidney function with elevated BUN and creatinine, plus an abnormal urinalysis showing protein in the urine and red blood cells (often with RBCs or casts). In other words, it’s a pattern of impaired filtration accompanied by urine abnormalities due to glomerular injury.

Other options don’t fit because normal kidney function with high blood pressure doesn’t reflect the inflammatory kidney injury seen in lupus nephritis, pancreatic enzyme elevation points to pancreatitis, and hypokalemia with low creatinine isn’t the typical renal pattern associated with lupus nephritis.