What are the assessment findings in a patient with acute kidney injury?
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Acute kidney injury & COVID-19What is acute kidney injury (AKI)?Acute kidney injury (AKI), also known as acute renal failure (ARF), is a sudden episode of kidney failure or kidney damage that happens within a few hours or a few days. AKI causes a build-up of waste products in your blood and makes it hard for your kidneys to keep the right balance of fluid in your body. AKI can also affect other organs such as the brain, heart, and lungs. Acute kidney injury is common in patients who are in the hospital, in intensive care units, and especially in older adults. What are the signs and symptoms of acute kidney injury?Signs and symptoms of acute kidney injury differ depending on the cause and may include:
In some cases, AKI causes no symptoms and is only found through other tests done by your healthcare provider. What causes acute kidney injury?Acute kidney injury can have many different causes. AKI can be caused by the following: Decreased blood flow Some diseases and conditions can slow blood flow to your kidneys and cause AKI. These diseases and conditions include:
Direct Damage to the Kidneys Some disease and conditions can damage your kidneys and lead to AKI. Some examples include:
Blockage of the urinary tract In some people, conditions or diseases can block the passage of urine out of the body and can lead to AKI. Blockage can be caused by:
What tests are done to find out if I have acute kidney injury? Depending on the cause of your acute kidney injury, your healthcare provider will run different tests if he or she suspects that you may have AKI. It is important that AKI is found as soon as possible because it can lead to chronic kidney disease, or even kidney failure. It may also lead to heart disease or death. The following tests may be done:
What is the treatment for acute kidney injury? Treatment for AKI usually requires you to stay in a hospital. Most people with acute kidney injury are already in the hospital for another reason. How long you will stay in the hospital depends on the cause of your AKI and how quickly your kidneys recover. In more serious cases, dialysis may be needed to help replace kidney function until your kidneys recover. The main goal of your healthcare provider is to treat what is causing your acute kidney injury. Your healthcare provider will work to treat all of your symptoms and complications until your kidneys recover. After having AKI, your chances are higher for other health problems (such as kidney disease, stroke, heart disease) or having AKI again in the future. The chances for developing kidney disease and kidney failure increase every time AKI occurs. To protect yourself, you should follow up with your healthcare provider to keep track of your kidney function and recovery. The best ways to lower your chances of having kidney damage and to save kidney function are to prevent acute kidney injury or to find and treat it as early as possible. Last Reviewed: 08/11/2022 What are the clinical manifestations of acute kidney injury?Signs and symptoms of acute kidney injury differ depending on the cause and may include: Too little urine leaving the body. Swelling in legs, ankles, and around the eyes. Fatigue or tiredness.
What should you assess first in acute kidney injury?The initial assessment of patients with AKI classically includes the differentiation between prerenal, renal, and postrenal causes (1–4). In the majority of clinical situations, the exclusion of postrenal causes with ultrasonography is an established approach and sufficient for the initial assessment.
What is the best indicator of acute kidney injury?An abrupt change in serum creatinine, the most common indicator of acute kidney injury (AKI), is strongly linked to poor outcomes across multiple clinical settings.
What is the most common initial manifestation of acute kidney injury?The only sign of acute kidney injury may be a decline in urine output. AKI can lead to the accumulation of water, sodium, and other metabolic products. It can also result in several electrolyte disturbances. It is a very common condition, especially among hospitalized patients.
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