A nurse is caring for a client who is rehabilitating from injuries resulting from a motor vehicle crash. Which of the following client statements should the nurse identify as the priority?

A. Production of erythropoietin: While the kidney produces EPO, this is a hormonal function and not the primary physical process of the nephron unit itself.

B. Filtration, reabsorption, and secretion: These are the three fundamental processes that allow the nephron to clear waste from the blood while retaining essential water and nutrients.

C. Only filtration of blood: Filtration is only the first step; without reabsorption, the body would lose all its fluid and nutrients in minutes.

D. Regulation of acid-base balance: This is one outcome of nephron function, but the primary mechanism involves the combined effort of filtration, reabsorption, and secretion.

A. Collecting duct: The collecting duct handles water and electrolyte fine-tuning, not large molecule filtration.

B. Glomerulus: The glomerular filtration membrane acts as a sieve. Normally, it is too fine to allow large proteins (like albumin) to pass. If protein is in the urine, it indicates the glomerular "sieve" is damaged.

C. Distal convoluted tubule: This part of the nephron deals with secretion and reabsorption of ions, not protein filtration.

D. Loop of Henle: This area focuses on the concentration of urine through salt and water transport.