Nephrology Lectures 2025

The Skeleton Key approach: five tests that unlock renal disease

🎓 UDPA Students: Start Course Browse Topics

BMP • Ca • Mg • PO4 • Urinalysis

Course Hub Cases Calculators Modules Primer

🔑 The Master Skeleton Keys to Nephrology

Five Essential Tests That Unlock Almost All Renal Disease

🧪 BMP (The Original Key)

Na, K, Cl, CO2, BUN, Creatinine, Glucose

Electrolyte disorders, acid-base, kidney function

🦴 Calcium & Magnesium

Ca++, Mg++ (Essential additions to BMP)

Bone metabolism, neuromuscular function

⚡ Phosphorus

PO4 (Cellular energy & CKD-MBD)

Energy metabolism, bone-kidney axis

🔬 Urinalysis

The Ultimate Skeleton Key

Unlocks ALL renal physiology & pathology

💡 The Skeleton Key Philosophy

Just as a skeleton key opens many locks, these five tests unlock the vast majority of renal diseases. The BMP reveals electrolyte and acid-base disorders. Adding Ca, Mg, PO4 completes mineral metabolism. But the urinalysis is the ultimate key—it reveals not just what's wrong, but HOW the kidneys are responding, making it indispensable for understanding both electrolyte disorders and all of renal physiology.

🔬 Urinalysis: The Ultimate Skeleton Key

While the BMP shows WHAT is wrong, the urinalysis reveals HOW the kidneys are responding

🔍 For Electrolyte Disorders

Reveals kidney's compensatory mechanisms: concentrating ability, acid excretion, mineral handling

🧠 For Renal Physiology

Shows tubular function, glomerular integrity, collecting duct response to ADH and aldosterone

🎯 For Disease Localization

Pinpoints WHERE in the nephron disease is occurring: glomerular, tubular, or collecting duct

Key Clinical Insight:

A patient with hyponatremia and concentrated urine (Uosm >500) tells you the kidneys are WORKING to conserve water - ruling out water intoxication and pointing toward SIADH or volume depletion. The urinalysis doesn't just diagnose - it teaches you renal physiology in real time.

2025 UDPA Lecture Series

Comprehensive review for students, residents, and fellows

Open Course Hub Course Cases Course Calculators Schedule/Syllabus 25 Cases & Coverage Quiz Bank

⚡ Electrolytes & Acid-Base

Master the skeleton keys: BMP + Ca + Mg + PO4 + Urinalysis unlock almost all renal disease

Master Skeleton Keys: The 5 tests that unlock nephrology
BMP Layout: Systematic clinical approach
Sodium Disorders: Hypo/Hypernatremia emergency protocols
Potassium: Life-threatening K+ management
Calcium & Magnesium: Critical mineral interactions
Phosphorus: Cellular energy and CKD-MBD
Acid-Base: Metabolic disorder interpretation
Urinalysis Integration: The ultimate diagnostic key

🔑 Master Keys + 13 Sub-topics

🌊 Hyponatremia Deep Dive

Comprehensive 2024 evidence-based hyponatremia management

RIB Therapy: 2024 standard protocol
Correction Science: ODS risk stratification
Dual System: ADH vs Aldosterone
Emerging Therapies: SGLT2i, Protein-Urea
Risk Calculator: Interactive tools

4 Sub-topics

🔬 Urinalysis Mastery

Comprehensive urinalysis interpretation from a nephrology perspective

Interpretation Fundamentals: Microscopy priority and systematic approach
Dipstick Analysis: Parameters, limitations, and timing requirements
Microscopic Examination: FeNa pitfalls and critical findings
UTI Assessment: Evidence-based evaluation and debunked tests
Interactive Tools: FeNa calculator with clinical context

4 Sub-modules

🚨 Acute Kidney Injury

Comprehensive 2024 KDIGO-based AKI evaluation and management

Emergency Recognition: Anuria protocols, life-threatening complications
KDIGO Staging: Complete classification with clinical implications
Advanced Diagnostics: Fresh urine microscopy, FST risk stratification
Drug Nephrotoxicity Deep Dive: Complete antibiotic, NSAID, PPI toxicity modules
Interactive Tools: KDIGO calculator, FST interpreter, drug risk assessment
Intrinsic Disease: RPGN, AIN, ATN comprehensive coverage
🏃 Special Feature: Complete Rhabdomyolysis Guide with CK risk calculator

✅ LIVE - 5 Sub-modules + Rhabdo Guide

🔬 Glomerulonephritis Comprehensive

Complete nephritic and nephrotic syndrome guide with emergency RPGN protocols

Nephritic vs Nephrotic: Clinical differentiation and urine microscopy
RPGN Emergency: Type I-III classification with immediate treatment protocols
Serological Evaluation: Complete complement pattern tables and ANCA interpretation
Modern Therapies: Rituximab, gene therapy, epigenetic treatments
Clinical Pearls: Anti-PLA2R testing, thromboembolism risk, fresh urine protocols
Evidence-Based: 2024 KDIGO guidelines and latest research

✅ LIVE - Complete Guide

🔄 Chronic Kidney Disease

Comprehensive 2024 KDIGO-based CKD management and risk stratification

Emergency Recognition: Uremic complications, severe acidosis protocols
KDIGO Risk Matrix: Complete staging with monitoring frequency guidelines
Cardiorenal Disease: CV risk assessment and prevention strategies
Five Pillars Management: BP control, RAAS/SGLT2 inhibition, evidence-based nutrition
Complications Management: Anemia, CKD-MBD, acidosis protocols
Protein Restriction Rethink: 2024 evidence challenges traditional recommendations
Interactive Tools: Evidence-based protein calculator, risk assessment, progression tools

✅ LIVE - 4 Calculators

❤️ Cardiorenal Disease

Comprehensive heart-kidney axis pathophysiology and integrated management strategies

Cardiorenal Syndromes: Type 1-5 classification and acute vs chronic presentations
Heart Failure-CKD Nexus: Bidirectional pathophysiology and risk amplification
SGLT2 Inhibitors Revolution: Cardioprotective and nephroprotective mechanisms
RAAS Modulation: ACE-I, ARBs, MRAs optimization in dual disease
Diuretic Strategies: Volume management without worsening kidney function
Risk Stratification: Integrated CV-renal risk assessment and monitoring protocols

✅ LIVE - Complete Module

📊New! 2025 Hypertension Guidelines

Revolutionary AHA/ACC updates with PREVENT calculator and paradigm shifts

PREVENT Risk Calculator: Replaces Pooled Cohort Equations
Retired "Hypertensive Urgency": Now severe HTN without target organ damage
Device Therapy Integration: Formal renal denervation protocols
Emergency vs Severe HTN: Updated terminology and Class 3 harm recommendations
Special Populations: Enhanced pregnancy and cerebrovascular protocols
Interactive Tools: PREVENT calculator, risk stratification

✨ 12 Comprehensive Modules

💧 Edema Pathophysiology & Management

Comprehensive approach to edema evaluation and treatment strategies

Starling Forces: Capillary hemodynamics and fluid distribution mechanisms
Drug-Induced Edema: NSAIDs, CCBs, TZDs - mechanisms and frequencies
Bilateral vs Unilateral: Systematic differential diagnosis approach
Heart Failure Edema: Cardiorenal interactions and venous congestion
Diuretic Therapy: Loop diuretics, albumin co-administration, gut edema
Interactive Tools: Albumin benefit calculator and clinical protocols

✅ LIVE - Complete Module

🏥 Renal Imaging Modalities

Evidence-based imaging modalities with 2024 contrast safety updates and comprehensive imaging protocols

Contrast Safety Revolution: CAN vs CIN terminology, Group II GBCA liberalized guidelines
CT vs Ultrasound: Evidence-based performance comparison for all renal applications
Multiphasic Protocols: Stone protocol, contrast-enhanced, selective delayed imaging
Advanced Modalities: Nuclear medicine scintigraphy, MRI elastography, DECT
Clinical Decision Framework: When to use contrast, risk stratification
Interactive Tools: Contrast risk calculator with evidence-based recommendations

✅ LIVE - Complete Guide

🎯 Cysts & Masses

Comprehensive evaluation of renal masses and cystic diseases with evidence-based management protocols

Renal Cell Carcinoma: Advanced immunotherapy, size-based risk stratification, cryoablation protocols
Bosniak Classification 2019: Updated criteria reducing unnecessary interventions, <30 HU benign rule
ADPKD Management: Tolvaptan disease-modifying therapy, genetic testing, extrarenal screening
Active Surveillance: Evidence-based observation strategies for selected masses and cysts
Benign Masses: Angiomyolipoma conservative management, TSC considerations
Interactive Tools: Bosniak calculator, ADPKD risk assessment, surveillance protocols

✅ LIVE - Complete Module