Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

In chronic renal failure, a state of renal insufficiency is indicated by which GFR range?

1. GFR of 60% to 89% of normal

2. GFR of 30% to 59% of normal

3. GFR of 15% to 29% of normal

4. GFR less than 15% of normal

The correct answer is: GFR of 30% to 59% of normal

In chronic renal failure, a GFR (glomerular filtration rate) of 30% to 59% of normal indicates a significant level of renal insufficiency. At this stage, the kidneys are not functioning properly, leading to the accumulation of waste products in the bloodstream and the onset of various systemic effects. This range demonstrates a moderate level of impairment, where the kidneys maintain some degree of function but are unable to filter blood effectively, raising concerns about fluid, electrolyte balance, and metabolic waste management. When the GFR drops to this level, patients may start experiencing symptoms associated with chronic kidney disease. The other ranges would indicate differing severities of renal impairment, with higher GFR values suggesting milder forms of renal insufficiency, and values lower than this indicating more severe conditions, including end-stage renal disease when kidney function is critically compromised.