Acute glomerulonephritis presents with which combination of findings on history and exam?

• A. Hematuria alone
• B. Hematuria with edema and hypertension
• C. Edema without hypertension
• D. Oliguria with polyuria at night

Answer: (C)

Glomerular inflammation in acute glomerulonephritis produces a nephritic picture: red blood cells leak into the urine, leading to hematuria, while the damaged, inflamed glomeruli impair filtration, causing salt and water retention that results in edema and often elevated blood pressure. Oliguria can accompany these changes, but the hallmark history and exam finding is hematuria occurring along with edema and hypertension. Hematuria alone lacks the fluid-overload and high BP components; edema without hypertension is less typical for this condition; nocturnal polyuria isn’t the characteristic pattern you’d expect with an acute nephritic process.