Every renal and urology condition in the GMC Content Map is covered with dedicated SBA questions and full clinical explanations.
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
Pre-renal, renal, post-renal causes; RIFLE/KDIGO staging; fluid management; contrast nephropathy.
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Staging, complications (anaemia, bone disease, cardiovascular risk), referral thresholds.
Hyperkalaemia
ECG changes, calcium gluconate, insulin-dextrose, salbutamol nebuliser, dialysis thresholds.
Hyponatraemia
Hypo-, eu-, hypervolaemic classification; SIADH; treatment rate (risk of central pontine myelinolysis).
Hypocalcaemia and Hypercalcaemia
ECG, neurological features, acute management.
Metabolic Acidosis
Anion gap, common causes (DKA, lactic, uraemic, toxic).
Metabolic Alkalosis
Volume-sensitive vs resistant.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Uncomplicated vs complicated, pyelonephritis.
Urological Cancers
Renal cell, bladder, prostate.
ABG Interpretation
Algorithm for arterial blood gas analysis.
Fluid-status Assessment
JVP, oedema, CXR, urine output.
Urinalysis Decisions
Dipstick vs MSU vs culture decisions.
Every renal question explanation references the relevant NICE guideline.
Covers care and treatment for people with, or at risk of, chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Covers preventing, detecting and managing acute kidney injury in children, young people and adults.
Covers renal replacement therapy (dialysis and transplantation) and conservative management for people with chronic kidney disease stages 4 and 5.
Understand Core Physiology
Review the basic physiology of the kidneys and urinary system to build a strong foundation for understanding pathology.
Master AKI and CKD
Focus on the diagnosis, staging, and management of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), as these are high-yield topics.
Electrolyte Imbalance Management
Thoroughly learn the causes, clinical features, ECG changes, and acute management of hyperkalaemia, hyponatraemia, hypocalcaemia, and hypercalcaemia.
Practice ABG Interpretation
Regularly practice arterial blood gas (ABG) interpretation to confidently diagnose and manage acid-base disorders like metabolic acidosis and alkalosis.
Review Urological Conditions
Study common urological conditions such as UTIs and urological cancers, understanding their presentation, investigation, and initial management.
Renal and urology questions typically constitute 5-8% of PLAB 1 AKT items, covering acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and electrolyte emergencies.
High-yield Renal topics include AKI, CKD, hyperkalaemia, hyponatraemia, and urinary tract infections, often integrated with ABG interpretation.
Key NICE guidelines for PLAB 1 Renal include NG203 (Chronic Kidney Disease), NG148 (Acute Kidney Injury), and NG107 (Renal Replacement Therapy).
Focus on understanding the pathophysiology and management of common renal conditions, practice ABG interpretation, and apply knowledge to clinical scenarios. Use MLA-aligned resources for effective preparation.
Common presentations include acute kidney injury, electrolyte imbalances, urinary symptoms, and signs of chronic kidney disease complications like anaemia or bone disease.