Acute Kidney Injury: Key Signs & Diagnostics

• Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is characterized by a sudden decline in kidney function.
• Assessment of AKI involves identifying key signs and symptoms.
• Anuria, the absence of urine production, is a critical sign in AKI.
• Hypertension, or high blood pressure, can be both a cause and a consequence of AKI.
• Changes in the level of consciousness (LOC) may indicate AKI-related neurological complications.
• Seizures are a severe neurological symptom that can occur in AKI due to electrolyte imbalances and uremia.
• Edema, or swelling, results from fluid retention due to impaired kidney function.

Diagnostics

• Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) is measured to assess the amount of urea in the blood, indicating kidney function.
• Creatinine levels in the blood are a key indicator of kidney function; elevated levels suggest AKI.
• Complete Blood Count (CBC) is performed to evaluate overall blood health and detect abnormalities.
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) provides a detailed assessment of electrolyte balance, glucose levels, and kidney and liver function.
• Urinalysis (UA) examines urine for abnormalities such as protein, blood, and infection.
• Blood Cultures (Blood Cx) are essential to identify potential infections contributing to AKI.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) monitors heart function, as AKI can affect electrolyte balance and cardiac activity.

Intervention

• Hemodialysis is a renal replacement therapy used to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood in cases of severe AKI.
• Seizure control is crucial, often involving medications to manage and prevent seizures.
• Monitoring involves close observation of vital signs, fluid balance, and lab values to assess the patient's response to treatment and detect any changes in condition.