👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team🕐 Updated 2026-08-23🏷️ Physiological Adaptation🔖 Free to read, print, and share
Also known as: AGN · glomerulonephritis · kidney inflammation · post-strep kidney disease · PSGN
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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Acute Glomerulonephritis on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
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📒 The 1-minute cheat sheet
📌 Mech
post-strep, 1-2 wks after infection
immune complexes inflame glomeruli
🩺 Signs
tea/cola-colored urine (hematuria)
HTN, periorbital/facial edema
proteinuria (mild), oliguria
🧪 Labs
↑ASO titer, ↑BUN ↑creat
↓complement (C3)
✅ Do
restrict Na, fluid, protein
antibiotics, antihypertensives
monitor BP, I&O, daily weight
report ↓urine, ↑edema, ↑BP
📚 Acute Glomerulonephritis — full study notes
The cheat sheet above is your quick recall card. These notes go deeper — what it is, what to do first, what must be reported, and what to teach.
Acute glomerulonephritis is inflammation of the glomeruli, often an immune response 1-3 weeks after a streptococcal infection of the throat or skin (post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis). Antigen-antibody complexes deposit in the glomeruli, impairing filtration. It is most common in children and usually self-limiting, but matters because it causes fluid retention and hypertension.
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Key points
Understand these first
Classic signs are hematuria producing tea-colored or cola-colored urine, proteinuria, and oliguria.
Periorbital and facial edema with hypertension occur from fluid retention.
A recent strep throat or skin infection precedes symptoms by about 1-3 weeks.
Antistreptolysin O (ASO) titer is elevated, confirming a recent streptococcal infection.
BUN and creatinine may rise temporarily as filtration is impaired.
Unlike nephrotic syndrome, protein loss is mild-to-moderate and hematuria is the dominant feature.
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Nursing priorities
What to do, in order
Monitor blood pressure, daily weights, intake/output, and urine color.
Restrict sodium and fluids; restrict protein and potassium if azotemia is present.
Administer antibiotics to eradicate residual streptococcal infection and antihypertensives/diuretics as ordered.
Promote rest during the acute phase to reduce metabolic demand.
Monitor for signs of fluid overload and worsening renal function.
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Red flags — report now
Escalate immediately
Severe hypertension, headache, or visual changes - risk of hypertensive encephalopathy; report immediately.
Signs of fluid overload/pulmonary edema (dyspnea, crackles) - escalate.
Worsening oliguria or rising creatinine signaling progression to renal failure - report.
Seizures or decreased level of consciousness - emergency.
Complete the full antibiotic course and treat strep infections promptly to prevent recurrence.
Follow sodium and fluid restrictions and rest during recovery.
Report decreased urine output, swelling, headache, or dark urine.
❓ Acute Glomerulonephritis: NCLEX FAQs
What are the priority nursing interventions for Acute Glomerulonephritis?
Monitor blood pressure, daily weights, intake/output, and urine color. Restrict sodium and fluids; restrict protein and potassium if azotemia is present. Administer antibiotics to eradicate residual streptococcal infection and antihypertensives/diuretics as ordered. Promote rest during the acute phase to reduce metabolic demand.
What are the warning signs of Acute Glomerulonephritis a nurse must report?
Severe hypertension, headache, or visual changes - risk of hypertensive encephalopathy; report immediately. Signs of fluid overload/pulmonary edema (dyspnea, crackles) - escalate. Worsening oliguria or rising creatinine signaling progression to renal failure - report. Seizures or decreased level of consciousness - emergency.
What do I need to know about Acute Glomerulonephritis for the NCLEX?
Classic signs are hematuria producing tea-colored or cola-colored urine, proteinuria, and oliguria. Periorbital and facial edema with hypertension occur from fluid retention. A recent strep throat or skin infection precedes symptoms by about 1-3 weeks. Antistreptolysin O (ASO) titer is elevated, confirming a recent streptococcal infection.
What patient teaching is important for Acute Glomerulonephritis?
Complete the full antibiotic course and treat strep infections promptly to prevent recurrence. Follow sodium and fluid restrictions and rest during recovery. Report decreased urine output, swelling, headache, or dark urine.
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Quick Tip
Classic signs are hematuria producing tea-colored or cola-colored urine, proteinuria, and oliguria.