Inability of one or both kidneys to perform their functions is termed what?

• A. Anuria
• B. Edema
• C. Renal failure
• D. Uremia

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is the loss of kidney function, meaning the kidneys can’t carry out their normal roles of filtering waste, balancing fluids and electrolytes, and producing hormones. When this function is compromised to a meaningful degree, we call it renal failure. It covers both acute drops in function and chronic loss over time, and it explains why waste products build up and why fluid balance becomes disrupted.

Anuria is simply the absence of urine production, which can happen as a result of renal failure but is not the general term for the condition itself. Edema is swelling from fluid retention, a common symptom that can occur with kidney problems but again isn’t the disease name. Uremia refers to the clinical syndrome of toxic wastes building up in the blood due to failing kidneys; it’s a consequence of renal failure, not the broad condition.