Which term describes the buildup of nitrogenous waste in the blood due to kidney dysfunction?

• A. Hematuria
• B. Hyponatremia
• C. Azotemia
• D. Anemia

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is the buildup of nitrogenous waste in the bloodstream caused by kidney dysfunction. The kidneys normally filter waste products like urea and creatinine from the blood and help maintain proper chemical balance. When kidney function is impaired, these wastes accumulate in the blood, leading to a condition called azotemia. Elevated levels of waste products are often reflected in increased BUN and creatinine values and signal reduced renal clearance. In contrast, hematuria means blood in the urine, hyponatremia means low sodium in the blood, and anemia refers to low red blood cell or hemoglobin levels; none of these describe the accumulation of nitrogenous wastes due to kidney failure.