Manitoba Nephrology Nurse Practice Test

Diabetic nephropathy is a progressive kidney disease often associated with diabetes mellitus that involves damage to the kidneys' filtering units. The symptoms primarily arise from kidney dysfunction and related complications.

Microalbuminuria, a condition where small amounts of albumin are present in the urine, is one of the early warning signs of kidney damage due to diabetes. It often signifies that the kidneys are beginning to lose their ability to filter properly, making it a common symptom of diabetic nephropathy.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is another well-documented consequence of diabetic nephropathy. Impaired kidney function can lead to fluid retention and changes in the body's ability to regulate blood pressure, which are critical observations in patients with diabetic kidney disease.

Fatigue can occur as well, especially as kidney function declines. When kidneys are not functioning effectively, the body can experience a build-up of waste products and toxins, leading to a feeling of general malaise or tiredness.

In contrast, joint pain is not a symptom directly associated with diabetic nephropathy. While diabetes can lead to various complications, including peripheral neuropathy and poor circulation that might in some cases contribute to joint discomfort, it is not a recognized or direct symptom of nephropathy itself. Therefore,