Meaning & use
nephrologist
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountablemedical
A doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the kidneys.
Grammar: Countable: you can say a nephrologist or two nephrologists.
Patterns
- see a nephrologist
- be referred to a nephrologist
When her blood tests showed poor kidney function, her family doctor sent her to a nephrologist.
The nephrologist explained that dialysis would be needed if her kidneys got worse.
He trained as a nephrologist after his father received a kidney transplant.
Word forms
| plural | nephrologists |
|---|
Common combinations
- consult a nephrologist
- The hospital asked us to consult a nephrologist about the patient's kidney failure.
- refer someone to a nephrologist
- My GP referred me to a nephrologist for further tests.
- pediatric nephrologist
- A pediatric nephrologist treats children with kidney problems.
- nephrologist appointment
- I have a nephrologist appointment next Tuesday.
Synonyms and how they differ
- kidney specialist
- A plain everyday phrase with the same meaning; use it when you want to avoid the technical term.
- urologist
- A different specialist: a urologist treats the urinary tract and male reproductive system, not mainly the kidneys.
Word family
- nephrology noun
- The medical study of the kidneys.
- nephrological adjective
- Relating to nephrology or kidney medicine.
Commonly confused: nephrologist or neurologist?
nephrologist vs neurologist
A neurologist treats the brain and nerves, while a nephrologist treats the kidneys. The spellings are similar, so check the second syllable.
Practice
My father's kidneys are failing, so his doctor sent him to a ______.
Choose one answer.
A nephrologist treats kidney disease. A neurologist treats nerves, a urologist treats the urinary tract, and a cardiologist treats the heart.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “nephrologist”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.