Acute Kidney Injury Flashcards
What is Acute Kidney Injury?
Sudden episode of kidney failure or kidney damage that happens within a few hours or a few days. Causes a build-up of waste products in your blood.
What characterizes Acute Kidney Injury?
Falling Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR). Build up of nitrogenous waste products e.g. urea, creatinine.
What are the three types of causes for Acute Kidney Injury?
Pre-renal. Renal. Post renal.
Give 2 examples of pre-renal causes.
Hypovolaemia. Cardiac failure. Hepatorenal syndrome.
Give 2 examples of renal causes.
Renal artery (e.g. occlusion). Small vessel disease (e.g. renal atheroembolism). Glomerular disease (e.g. lupus nephritis, infective endocarditis). Acute tubular necrosis. Acute interstitial nephritis (drugs, infection, systemic disease). Intra-tubular obstruction (drugs, cast nephropathy).
Give 2 examples of post-renal causes.
Papillary necrosis. Tumours. Urinary retention.
Give 3 functions of Acute Kidney Injury.
Excretion of electrolytes. Clearance of waste products. Receptor sites for hormones e.g. aldosterone, ADH. Gluconeogenesis. Regulation of acid-base state. Control of water balance. Production of hormones (e.g. renin, vitamin D, erythropoetin, prostaglandins).
What is Atrial natriuretic peptide’s (ANP) effect on the kidneys?
ANP is synthesized and secreted by cardiac muscle cells in the walls of the atria in the heart. It acts on the kidney to increase sodium and water excretion (natriuresis). This decreases blood pressure.
What is Parathyroid Hormone’s effect on the kidneys?
It acts on the kidneys, to prevent calcium excretion. This raises serum calcium levels.
Give 3 consequences of Acute Kidney Injury.
Oedema (fluid overload). Hyperkalaemia (greater 5.5 dangerous - arrhythmia). Metabolic acidosis - breathlessness, nausea). Uraemia (retention of metabolic waste) - pericarditis, pleurisy, encephalopathy). Poor clearance of creatinine (creatinine high).
What are normal serum potassium levels?
3.6 to 5.2 millimoles per liter (mmol/L).
What is pleurisy?
Inflammation of sheet-like layers that cover the lungs.
What is encephalopathy?
Degenerative brain problem.
What is renal replacement therapy?
Using a semi-permeable membrane to remove the right amount of electrolytes and water.
Give 2 signs of Acute Kidney Injury.
Too little urine leaving the body. Swelling in legs, ankles, and around the eyes. Fatigue or tiredness. Shortness of breath. Confusion. Nausea. Seizures or coma in severe cases. Chest pain or pressure.
