🩺 Glomerulonephritis Made Simple: Mnemonics, Pathology, and Clinical Clues

Glomerulonephritis is a classic topic that shows up on Step 1, Step 2 CK, and even Sub-I exams. It’s a dense topic—immune complexes, complement levels, crescents, and patterns galore. Today, we’ll walk you through the core types of glomerulonephritis using visuals, biopsy buzzwords, and mnemonics to help you lock in this topic long-term.

📌 Nephritic vs. Nephrotic Syndromes

Nephritic:

• Hematuria

• RBC casts

• Proteinuria (<3.5g/day)

• HTN, oliguria

Nephrotic:

• Heavy proteinuria (>3.5g/day)

• Hypoalbuminemia

• Edema

• Hyperlipidemia, fatty casts

📌 Key Rule: Many glomerulonephritides can have features of both.

🧠 Mnemonic for Nephritic Syndromes: “P-A-R-C-H”

P – Post-streptococcal GN
A – Alport syndrome
R – Rapidly progressive GN (RPGN)
C – Crescentic GN
H – Henoch-Schönlein Purpura (IgA nephropathy)

🧠 KOTC Tip: Think “PARCH-ed kidneys bleed”—easy way to remember hematuria + low GFR.

🔍 Biopsy Buzzwords Table

Disease	Key Biopsy Finding	Notes
PSGN	"Lumpy-bumpy" IgG, C3	Subepithelial humps
RPGN (Goodpasture's)	Linear IF, anti-GBM	Hemoptysis + hematuria
IgA Nephropathy	Mesangial IgA deposits	Often follows URI
Lupus Nephritis	Full house IF (IgG, IgA, IgM, C3, C1q)	Associated with SLE
Alport Syndrome	Basket-weave GBM on EM	Type IV collagen defect

🧾 Mnemonic for Nephrotic Syndromes: “M-FAN”

M – Minimal Change Disease (kids)
F – FSGS (African Americans, HIV)
A – Amyloidosis
N – Nephropathy (membranous)
D – Diabetes (nodular sclerosis)

🎯 KOTC Tip: Use “M-FAND out” → as in, you found out their urine is full of protein.

✅ KOTC Tools for Mastering GN

• Visual flowcharts for nephritic vs nephrotic workups

• “Glomeruli on a Page” reference chart (filter by syndrome)

• Quiz sets by biopsy pattern, symptoms, or age group

• Adaptive Q-Bank blocks to test retention under time pressure

📌 Before You Go…

Don’t let glomeruli get you down — visualize and gamify your way to mastery.

🎯 Call-to-Action (CTA)

Use KOTC’s renal visuals and adaptive quizzes to conquer one of the most tested systems in med school.
👉 Join the curve now

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• How many hours should I study for the MCAT each day?

  Aim for 4-6 focused hours, ensuring you incorporate breaks to avoid burnout.

• What is the best way to handle test anxiety?

  Practice mindfulness techniques, take practice exams under realistic conditions, and maintain a balanced lifestyle.

• How can I stay motivated during the long application process?

  Set short-term goals, seek support from mentors, and reward yourself for small achievements.

• What role does exercise play in MCAT preparation?

  Regular exercise improves focus, reduces stress, and enhances overall mental clarity.

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