Acute Renal Failure
Concept and Etiology : Acute renal failure (ARF) also known as acute kidney
injury (AKI) is the rapid and abrupt loss of kidney function. The initial onset may
occur within the course of a few hours or over a period of 48 hours (Story, 2017).
ARF mostly affects hospitalized or critically ill patients and the elderly
(NationalKidneyFoundation, 2020). Its main etiologies belong to three main
classification groups which include, prerenal conditions, intrarenal conditions, and
postrenal conditions (Story, 2017). Prerenal conditions are those that sabotage
blood flow leading to the kidneys. Such cases include heart dysfunction like heart
attack or cases of extremely low blood pressure like trauma injury or hemorrhage.
Intrarenal conditions are those that directly destroy kidney structure. These
incidences include renal inflammation such as glomerulonephritis and cases of
toxic damage by alcohol or chemotherapy drugs. Postrenal conditions are those
that create issues for the excretion of urine which include bladder dysfunction or
ureter obstruction. Acute renal failure deviates from the definition of health
because it makes it difficult for the kidneys to maintain normal balance of body
fluids in the body by causing a build-up of waste products in the blood
(NationalKidneyFoundation, 2020). Other causes of ARF include autoimmune
disease and liver disease (Story, 2017).
Classification: ARF speaks to its classification as an acute disorder of the kidneys
which suddenly renders them unable to function adequately resulting in disrupt
flow of maintaining homeostasis in the body.
Clinical Manifestations: Signs of acute renal failure are swelling of legs, ankles and
eyes, decrease or increased urine output, azotemia, increases and decreased levels
of electrolytes, dyspnea and hypotension. Symptoms include nausea, fatigue,
dehydration, chest pains and confusion.5
Diagnostic testing includes, physical examinations, urinalysis, blood tests for CBC,
BUN and creatine levels, renal ultrasound and kidney biopsy.
5
References5
National Kidney Foundation. October 30, 2020.55Acute Kidney Injury
(AKI).5https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/AcuteKidneyInjury
Story, L. (March 1, 2017). Pathophysiology: A Practical Approach, (3rd5ed). Urinary
Function.55https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/books/9781284142983
