Obstructive uropathy: considerations for the nephrology nurse.

Obstructive uropathy is the cause of renal failure in 16.2% of pediatric patients who undergo renal transplantation, 12.9% of those on dialysis, and 23.1% of those with chronic renal insufficiency, according to the annual report of the North American Pediatric Renal Transplant Cooperative Study (NAPRTCS). Successfully caring for patients with obstructive uropathy requires an understanding of the various congenital anomalies that create obstructive uropathy, the urological interventions used to treat them, management of the patient, and the nursing care required.