Kaplan Nursing Entrance Practice Exam

What is not a function of the kidneys?

1. Waste filtration

2. Electrolyte balance

3. Transport

4. Fluid regulation

The correct answer is: Transport

The kidneys serve several essential functions in maintaining homeostasis in the body, and transport is not one of these primary roles. Their main functions include waste filtration, where they filter out metabolic waste products from the blood to form urine, and electrolyte balance, which involves regulating the levels of various ions such as sodium, potassium, and bicarbonate. Fluid regulation is also crucial; the kidneys adjust the body's fluid volume and concentration by excreting or reabsorbing water as necessary. Transport, however, typically refers to the movement of substances from one location to another within the body, which is primarily managed by the circulatory system and other organ systems. While kidneys do produce urine that is then transported to the bladder, the kidneys themselves do not actively engage in processes of transport across membranes like some other organs. Thus, while they play a pivotal role in the processes that affect waste, electrolytes, and fluid balance, they do not fulfill the direct role of transport, making this the correct choice in the context of the provided question.