Certified Nephrology Nurse Certification (CNN) Practice Exam 2026 - Free Nephrology Nursing Practice Questions and Study Guide

The purpose of renal artery stenosis in the context of hypertension is primarily linked to increased renin release due to the resulting obstruction. When the renal artery becomes narrowed, it leads to a reduction in blood flow to the affected kidney. The kidneys detect this decreased perfusion as a signal that prompts the juxtaglomerular cells to release more renin, an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of angiotensinogen into angiotensin I. The production of angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor, is subsequently increased, which has the effect of raising blood pressure.

This mechanism plays a crucial role in the body's ability to maintain blood pressure and volume; however, in cases where renal artery stenosis is significant, it can lead to resistant forms of hypertension. Thus, population of renin as a response to the lowered blood flow becomes a key pathophysiological process in the development and maintenance of hypertension related to renal artery stenosis.