Ace the 2025 ATI Pathophysiology Test – Dive Into Disease with Confidence!

Uncontrolled diabetes significantly affects the kidneys, and one of the primary outcomes is the development of diabetic nephropathy. This condition arises due to prolonged high blood glucose levels, which damage the blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to glomerulosclerosis (hardening of the kidney's filtering units) and reduced kidney function over time. As diabetic nephropathy progresses, it can cause proteinuria (the presence of excess protein in urine), hypertension, and ultimately lead to kidney failure if not managed appropriately.

This sequenced damage reveals the critical importance of maintaining blood glucose levels within normal ranges to protect kidney health in individuals with diabetes. The other potential outcomes associated with uncontrolled diabetes, such as alterations in kidney size and blood flow, do not reflect the primary pathological sequelae, which emphasize the detriments of uncontrolled glucose levels on kidney function and structure.