Which condition is characterized by high nitrogen levels in the blood due to kidney dysfunction?

The correct answer, azotemia, refers to the accumulation of nitrogenous waste products in the blood, primarily urea and creatinine, due to impaired kidney function. This condition is indicative of the kidneys' inability to effectively filter and excrete these waste substances, which can occur in various forms of kidney injury or disease. Azotemia can be acute or chronic, and its presence can signal a need for further evaluation and intervention to address the underlying renal dysfunction.

In contrast, hematuria refers to the presence of blood in the urine and does not directly indicate kidney dysfunction. Oliguria describes a condition in which a person produces an abnormally low volume of urine, which can be a consequence of several factors, including kidney dysfunction but is not specific to the nitrogen levels in the blood. Hypervolemia indicates an excess of blood volume or fluid overload in the body, which may or may not be related to kidney issues but does not specifically relate to nitrogen levels. Understanding these distinctions can help clarify why azotemia is the term associated with high nitrogen levels due to kidney dysfunction.