When one kidney fails to develop while other kidney is present with normal size, position and function, this congenital disease is called---

Appeared in: RRB Nsg Superintendent -29 April 2025 (Shift-1st)

Explanation

Renal agenesis is the congenital absence of one or both kidneys.
The question specifically describes unilateral renal agenesis, where one kidney fails to form, but the other is present and functions normally.
The remaining kidney often undergoes compensatory hypertrophy, enlarging to take over the function of the missing kidney.
This condition is often discovered incidentally during an ultrasound for another reason, as it is usually asymptomatic.

Option A: Phimosis is a condition where the foreskin cannot be retracted. It is an anomaly of the male genitalia, not the urinary system's internal organs like the kidneys.
Option B: Renal dysplasia involves the abnormal development of kidney tissue. The key difference is that the kidney is present, but it is malformed and non-functional or poorly functional. The question states the kidney fails to develop entirely (is absent).
Option D: A horseshoe kidney is a fusion anomaly where two distinct kidneys are joined, usually at their lower poles. Both kidneys are present, which contradicts the question's premise of one kidney failing to develop.

Visual 1: Diagram - An illustration comparing a normal pair of kidneys with unilateral renal agenesis, renal dysplasia, and a horseshoe kidney. This would visually clarify the difference between absence, malformation, and fusion.
Visual 2: Ultrasound Image - A sample ultrasound showing a solitary kidney with compensatory hypertrophy, highlighting the empty renal fossa on the other side.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
A person with a single kidney must protect it from injury. Nurses often advise these patients to avoid high-contact sports like football or hockey.
Monitoring is crucial. Annual check-ups for blood pressure (hypertension) and urine protein (proteinuria) are recommended to ensure the solitary kidney remains healthy.
What if? If a patient with a single kidney develops a severe kidney infection (pyelonephritis) or a large kidney stone, it is a medical emergency because there is no second kidney to compensate. Aggressive treatment is required to preserve renal function.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question: 'one kidney fails to develop'. This points to the complete absence of an organ.
Next, define each of the options provided.
Phimosis relates to the penis, so it can be eliminated immediately.
Renal dysplasia means 'abnormal development', not absence.
Horseshoe kidney means 'fused kidneys', so both are present.
Renal agenesis means 'failure to form'. 'A-' means without, and '-genesis' means formation. This definition directly matches the question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT).
Stem keywords: kidney fails to develop, one kidney, congenital disease, normal size, position and function
Lead-in keywords: is called
Negative lead-in flag: false

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Practise the full RRB Nsg Superintendent -29 April 2025 (Shift-1st)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.