Which procedure is defined as the surgical removal of a kidney?

Which procedure is defined as the surgical removal of a kidney?

• A. Nephrectomy
• B. Nephrostomy
• C. Cystectomy
• D. Ureterectomy

Answer: (A)

Understanding surgical terminology for kidney procedures helps you pick the right term. The word that means removing a kidney is nephrectomy. It comes from nephro-, meaning kidney, and -ectomy, meaning surgical removal. So nephrectomy refers specifically to taking out an entire kidney (though it can be done as a radical removal or a partial nephrectomy when only part of the kidney is removed). Other terms describe different procedures: nephrostomy is creating a direct drainage pathway from the kidney to the outside of the body, not removal of tissue; cystectomy is removal of the bladder; ureterectomy is removal of a ureter. Knowing what the roots mean makes it clear why nephrectomy is the correct choice for the removal of a kidney. Afterward, patients are monitored for renal function and related recovery considerations, since the remaining kidney must handle the body's filtration needs.

Understanding surgical terminology for kidney procedures helps you pick the right term. The word that means removing a kidney is nephrectomy. It comes from nephro-, meaning kidney, and -ectomy, meaning surgical removal. So nephrectomy refers specifically to taking out an entire kidney (though it can be done as a radical removal or a partial nephrectomy when only part of the kidney is removed).

Other terms describe different procedures: nephrostomy is creating a direct drainage pathway from the kidney to the outside of the body, not removal of tissue; cystectomy is removal of the bladder; ureterectomy is removal of a ureter. Knowing what the roots mean makes it clear why nephrectomy is the correct choice for the removal of a kidney. Afterward, patients are monitored for renal function and related recovery considerations, since the remaining kidney must handle the body's filtration needs.