Which findings are characteristic of nephrotic syndrome?

• A. Heavy proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, lipiduria, edema
• B. Proteinuria with hematuria and RBC casts
• C. Pyuria and fever
• D. Hypertension with azotemia

Answer: (A)

Nephrotic syndrome is defined by a massive loss of protein in the urine, which drives a drop in serum albumin and leads to edema. The liver responds by producing more lipids, causing hyperlipidemia, and lipids spill into the urine (lipiduria). So the combination of heavy proteinuria, low albumin, edema, and lipiduria represents the classic pattern of this condition. The other options point to nephritic features (proteinuria with blood in urine and casts), infection-related symptoms (pyuria with fever), or general kidney injury signs (hypertension with azotemia) that don’t define nephrotic syndrome.