NUR 265 Advanced Med-Surg Exam 1 |
Actual verified study complete Solutions |
2026/27 Updates | 100% correct | Galen
FULL STUDY NOTE FROM SCRATCH
Renal + Dialysis + Pancreatitis + Liver Failure/Portal Hypertension
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY — AKI
What AKI Means
AKI = sudden interruption of kidney function.
It can happen:
• Very quickly
• Or within 7 days of injury
The kidneys are very sensitive. Any injury, infection, poor perfusion, toxin, or
obstruction can make them shut down.
Why Kidneys Matter
The kidneys do a lot for the body:
• Filter blood
• Remove waste
• Control fluid balance
• Control electrolytes
• Help control acid/base balance
• Help with red blood cell production
• Help maintain blood pressure
So when kidneys stop working, the whole body gets affected.
MOST IMPORTANT AKI INDICATOR
Urine Output
Normal urine output: about 30 mL/hr
,If urine output is less than 30 mL/hr, that is a problem.
This can mean:
• Decreased kidney perfusion
• Decreased GFR
, • AKI
• Worsening kidney function
Oliguria
Oliguria = low urine output
This is an early warning sign.
If the patient develops oliguria, always follow up. Do not ignore it.
Why Foley Catheters Are Used
Many hospitalized AKI patients have a Foley catheter because we need strict
intake and output.
We need to know:
• What is going in
• What is coming out
Urine output is one of the best indicators that the kidneys are being perfused.
AKI PHASES
1. Oliguric Phase
This is when urine output decreases.
Expected findings:
• Low urine output
• Waste builds up
• BUN increases
• Creatinine increases
This is a dangerous phase because the kidneys are not filtering well.
2. Diuretic Phase
This is when urine output increases.
The kidneys are starting to wake back up, but they are still weak.
Risk:
• Dehydration
, • Fluid loss
• Electrolyte loss
3. Recovery Phase
Kidney function starts improving.
Labs and urine output may gradually return closer to normal.
TYPES OF AKI
There are 3 major types:
1. Pre-renal
2. Intra-renal / intrinsic
3. Post-renal
1. PRE-RENAL AKI
Most Common Type
Pre-renal AKI is the most common cause/form of AKI.
Meaning
The problem happens before the kidney.
The kidneys themselves are not damaged at first. They are just not receiving
enough blood flow or pressure.
Main Problem
Renal hypoperfusion
That means:
• Not enough blood reaches the kidneys
• Not enough pressure reaches the kidneys
• GFR decreases
Pre-Renal AKI Causes
Hemorrhage
Blood loss causes decreased circulating volume.
Actual verified study complete Solutions |
2026/27 Updates | 100% correct | Galen
FULL STUDY NOTE FROM SCRATCH
Renal + Dialysis + Pancreatitis + Liver Failure/Portal Hypertension
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY — AKI
What AKI Means
AKI = sudden interruption of kidney function.
It can happen:
• Very quickly
• Or within 7 days of injury
The kidneys are very sensitive. Any injury, infection, poor perfusion, toxin, or
obstruction can make them shut down.
Why Kidneys Matter
The kidneys do a lot for the body:
• Filter blood
• Remove waste
• Control fluid balance
• Control electrolytes
• Help control acid/base balance
• Help with red blood cell production
• Help maintain blood pressure
So when kidneys stop working, the whole body gets affected.
MOST IMPORTANT AKI INDICATOR
Urine Output
Normal urine output: about 30 mL/hr
,If urine output is less than 30 mL/hr, that is a problem.
This can mean:
• Decreased kidney perfusion
• Decreased GFR
, • AKI
• Worsening kidney function
Oliguria
Oliguria = low urine output
This is an early warning sign.
If the patient develops oliguria, always follow up. Do not ignore it.
Why Foley Catheters Are Used
Many hospitalized AKI patients have a Foley catheter because we need strict
intake and output.
We need to know:
• What is going in
• What is coming out
Urine output is one of the best indicators that the kidneys are being perfused.
AKI PHASES
1. Oliguric Phase
This is when urine output decreases.
Expected findings:
• Low urine output
• Waste builds up
• BUN increases
• Creatinine increases
This is a dangerous phase because the kidneys are not filtering well.
2. Diuretic Phase
This is when urine output increases.
The kidneys are starting to wake back up, but they are still weak.
Risk:
• Dehydration
, • Fluid loss
• Electrolyte loss
3. Recovery Phase
Kidney function starts improving.
Labs and urine output may gradually return closer to normal.
TYPES OF AKI
There are 3 major types:
1. Pre-renal
2. Intra-renal / intrinsic
3. Post-renal
1. PRE-RENAL AKI
Most Common Type
Pre-renal AKI is the most common cause/form of AKI.
Meaning
The problem happens before the kidney.
The kidneys themselves are not damaged at first. They are just not receiving
enough blood flow or pressure.
Main Problem
Renal hypoperfusion
That means:
• Not enough blood reaches the kidneys
• Not enough pressure reaches the kidneys
• GFR decreases
Pre-Renal AKI Causes
Hemorrhage
Blood loss causes decreased circulating volume.
