Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

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

Prepare for the Family Nurse Practitioner Exam with engaging quizzes featuring flashcards, multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations. Ensure you are exam-ready!

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.

What organ system is most at risk from chronic NSAID use?

Cardiovascular system
Neurological system
Gastrointestinal system
Renal system

The correct answer is: Renal system

Chronic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is particularly associated with risks to the renal system. NSAIDs can lead to kidney injury by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are essential for maintaining renal blood flow, especially in states of dehydration or heart failure. Reduced prostaglandin levels can result in decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and blood flow to the kidneys, potentially leading to acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, or exacerbation of pre-existing renal issues. The gastrointestinal system is also at risk because of NSAID use; however, the effects on the kidneys are more directly linked to the pharmacodynamics of NSAIDs and the regulation of blood flow within the renal vasculature. Chronic use of NSAIDs typically raises concerns regarding gastrointestinal bleeding and ulcers, but the renal consequences can often be more insidious, particularly impacting patients with other risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and existing renal dysfunction.