Page Contents
OVERVIEW
This page is dedicated to organizing various examples of standardized exam questions whose topic is renal papillary necrosis. While this may seem a odd practice, it is useful to see multiple examples of how renal papillary necrosis will be characterized on standardized exams (namely the boards and the shelf exams). This page is not meant to be used as a traditional question bank (as all of the answers will be the same), however seeing the classic “test” characterization for a topic is quite valuable.
KEY CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS CONDITION (ON EXAMS)
When it comes to standardized exams, each topic has its own “code” marked by key buzzwords, lab findings, clues, etc. If you are well versed in this code you will be able to more quickly identify the condition that is being discussed, and get the right answer on the exam you are taking. Below is the “code” for renal papillary necrosis.
- History of infection/immune stimulation: this is often the trigger/casue
- Sickle cell disease/trait
- Acute pyelonephritis
- Analgesics (NSAIDs)
- Diabetes mellitus
- Flank pain: may be present
- Gross hematuria is often present. Can be noticed by the patient, the physician and/or the urine studies.
- Proteinuria will also often be present on urinalysis
QUESTION EXAMPLES
Question # 1
Explanation # 1
Question # 2
Explanation # 2
TESTABLE FACTS ABOUT THIS TOPIC (BEYOND ITS IDENTIFICATION)
Many questions on standardized exams go beyond simply recognizing the underlying topic. Often there are specific testable facts regarding some aspect of the topic’s pathophysiology/management/clinical implications that are commonly asked. Some of these are listed below:
- What is it: necrosis of renal papillae
Page Updated: 04.24.2017