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Nephrology Glomerular Diseases Intermediate
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Nephritic vs Nephrotic Syndrome Cheat Sheet

INFLAMMATION
vs
PODOCYTE
PODIUM
Core clinical and urinalysis distinctions between glomerular inflammation (Nephritic) and glomerular charge/barrier breakdown (Nephrotic).

Nephritic syndrome involves inflammatory damage that ruptures the glomerular capillary wall. Nephrotic syndrome represents podocyte effacement or basement membrane damage allowing massive albumin filtration.

Systematic Breakdown

Nephritic

CAPS: Casts, Azotemia, Pressure (HTN), Sedimentary blood

RBC casts with dysmorphic red cells; mild-to-moderate proteinuria (< 3.5 g/day); oliguria, azotemia; hypertension from salt retention.

Nephrotic

PEAL: Proteinuria (>3.5g), Edema, Albumin low, Lipids high

Massive proteinuria (> 3.5 g/24h); severe hypoalbuminemia (< 3.0 g/dL); generalized pitting edema; hyperlipidemia with fatty casts (Maltese cross under polarized light).

Thrombosis

Hypercoagulability in Nephrotic

Urinary loss of Antithrombin III and protein C/S predisposes to renal vein thrombosis and DVT.

Infection

Infection Susceptibility in Nephrotic

Urinary loss of immunoglobulins and complement factor B predisposes to encapsulated bacterial peritonitis (Streptococcus pneumoniae).

High-Yield Clinical Pearls & Exam Tips
  • Pathognomonic Urinalysis Findings: Dysmorphic RBCs and RBC casts = Glomerulonephritis (Nephritic); Oval fat bodies with Maltese cross pattern = Nephrotic syndrome.
  • Minimal Change Disease is the most common cause of nephrotic syndrome in children (exquisitely responsive to steroids); FSGS is most common in adults.
Related Pharmaceuticals
Prednisone ACE Inhibitors Furosemide Statins
Related Clinical Conditions
Poststreptococcal Glomerulonephritis Minimal Change Disease Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis
Authoritative Sources: Brenner and Rector's The Kidney 11e · Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease 10e

More Nephrology Mnemonics

Nephrology Intermediate
C BIG K DROP

Hyperkalemia Management Protocol: C BIG K DROP

C BIG K DROP

Step-by-step emergency medical stabilization and total body elimination of severe hyperkalemia (K+ > 6.5 mEq/L or with ECG changes).

AHA Guidelines on Electrolyte Emergencies 2,225
Nephrology Intermediate
HARD-UP

Normal Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis

H A R D - U P

Causes of hyperchloremic (normal anion gap) metabolic acidosis (AG 8-12 mEq/L) characterized by reciprocal chloride retention.

Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine 21e 182
Nephrology Intermediate
MUDPILES

High Anion Gap Metabolic Acidosis

M U D P I L E S

The gold-standard clinical mnemonic for etiologies of elevated serum anion gap metabolic acidosis (AG > 12 mEq/L).

Rose & Post Clinical Physiology of Acid-Base and Electrolyte Disorders 1,066

System Notice

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