What term refers to an excess of urea or other nitrogenous bodies in the blood?

The term that refers to an excess of urea or other nitrogenous bodies in the blood is azotemia. This condition typically arises when the kidneys are unable to effectively filter waste products from the bloodstream, leading to a build-up of nitrogenous substances such as urea. Azotemia can indicate underlying renal impairment or dysfunction and is a common laboratory finding in various kidney-related diseases.

Creatinine is a waste product produced from muscle metabolism that is often measured to assess kidney function but does not encompass the broader range of nitrogenous waste products indicated by azotemia. Catheterization is a procedure used to drain urine from the bladder and has no direct relation to the presence of nitrogenous bodies in the blood. Glomerulonephritis is an inflammation of the glomeruli in the kidneys, which can lead to azotemia but does not define the condition itself.

Understanding azotemia is crucial in diagnosing and managing renal conditions, as it provides insight into the kidney's ability to filter and eliminate waste effectively.