American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) Certification Practice Test

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $2.99 payment

Prepare for the AACN Certification Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question comes with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

How does renal artery stenosis affect the RAA system?

It increases the formation of angiotensin II
It impairs autoregulation of the RAA system
It inhibits aldosterone secretion
It enhances renal perfusion

The correct answer is: It impairs autoregulation of the RAA system

Renal artery stenosis impacts the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone (RAA) system primarily by affecting its regulatory mechanisms. In the case of renal artery stenosis, there is a reduction in blood flow to the affected kidney. This decreased perfusion pressure is sensed by the juxtaglomerular cells, triggering the release of renin. Elevated renin levels lead to increased formation of angiotensin I, which is subsequently converted to angiotensin II. However, the autoregulation of the RAA system becomes impaired due to the chronic low blood flow, leading to an exaggerated response in renin release. The renal system is designed to maintain stable blood pressure and glomerular filtration rate, but with stenosis, this autoregulatory mechanism cannot function effectively. This ultimately contributes to hypertension and fluid overload, compromising overall renal function. Understanding this mechanism is vital because it underscores how renal artery stenosis can lead to secondary hypertension and kidney complications, serving as a key clinical consideration in managing affected patients.