Which of the following is a recognized cause of uremia?

Uremia is a condition characterized by the presence of excess urea and other nitrogenous waste products in the blood, typically resulting from kidney failure or significant impairment of kidney function. Among the options provided, pericarditis is recognized as a potential cause of uremia because it can arise in patients with chronic kidney disease. The accumulation of toxins in the bloodstream due to inadequate filtration by the kidneys can lead to inflammation of the pericardium, resulting in uremic pericarditis.

In individuals experiencing uremia, the elevated levels of waste products can trigger a wide range of complications, including cardiovascular issues like pericarditis. The other conditions listed—hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and pneumonia—do not directly lead to uremia in the way that pericarditis can be associated with kidney dysfunction and its resultant complications. Thus, recognizing pericarditis as a complication or consequence of uremia aligns with the pathophysiological processes involved in advanced kidney disease.