Dialysis Technician Practice Exam

What is one of the endocrine functions of the kidney?

1. Regulating blood pressure

2. Making erythropoietin and the active form of Vitamin D

3. Filtering waste products

4. Reabsorbing sodium and water

The correct answer is: Making erythropoietin and the active form of Vitamin D

The kidney has several important endocrine functions, with one of the key roles being the production of erythropoietin and the activation of vitamin D. Erythropoietin is a hormone produced by the kidneys in response to low oxygen levels in the blood. This hormone stimulates the bone marrow to increase the production of red blood cells, which are essential for transporting oxygen throughout the body. Additionally, the kidneys play a vital role in the activation of vitamin D. While the skin produces vitamin D in response to sunlight, it is the kidneys that convert it into its active form, which is crucial for calcium absorption in the intestines and maintaining bone health. This function is essential for ensuring that the body maintains adequate calcium and phosphate levels, which are important for various physiological functions. In contrast, while regulating blood pressure, filtering waste products, and reabsorbing sodium and water are all important kidney functions, they are primarily related to the organ’s role in fluid and electrolyte balance, rather than its endocrine functions. The endocrine contributions of the kidney are more specifically connected to the hormonal production that directly affects blood cell production and calcium metabolism.