Renal Flashcards
Kidney function
Maintain acid base balance
Excrete end products of body metabolism
Control fluid and electrolyte balance ( Sodium and potassium)
Excrete bacterial toxins, water soluble medications and medication metabolites
Secrete renin to regulate the BP and erythropoietin to stimulate the bone marrow to produce red blood cells
Synthesize vitamin D for Calcium absorption and regulation of the PTH
Serum creatinine (50 - 120 mmol)
Measures the amount of creatinine in the serum. Creatinine is an end product of protein and muscle metabolism.
It reflect glomerular filtration rate. Kidney disease is the only pathological condition that increases serum creatinine. It increases only when 50% of function is lost.
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) (3.6 - 7.1 mmol)
Measures the amount of nitrogenous urea, a by product of protein metabolism in the liver.
It indicates the level of renal clearance of the urea nitrogen waste products. An elevation does not always mean that renal disease is present.
Some factors that can elevate the BUN level include, dehydration, poor renal perfusion, intake of a high protein diet, stress, infection, GI bleeding, corticosteroid use and factors that can cause muscle breakdown.
BUN/Creatinine ratio
BUN is divided by the creatinine level to obtain the ratio
Elevated levels suggest renal dysfunction
Increased occurs with FVE
Decreased indicated FVD, obstructive uropathy, catabolic state and a high protein diet
Acute Kidney Injury/Failure: Causes
The rapid loss of kidney function due to renal cell damage. Occurs abruptly and can be reversible. AKI leads to cell hypo perfusion, cell death and the decompensation of renal function.
Causes:
Prerenal: Outside the kidney; caused by intravascular volume depletion such as with blood loss associated with trauma or surgery, dehydration, decreased cardiac output, decreased peripheral vascular difference, decreased perfusion/blood flow and prerenal infection or obstruction
Hypotension, irregular/decreased HR, any form of SHOCK (shock kills the kidneys)
Intra renal: Caused by tubular necrosis , prolonged prerenal ischemia, intrarenal infection or obstruction and nephrotoxicity
Glomerulonephritis, Nephrotic Syndromes, Dyes for heart cath and CT scan, Mycin drugs, malignant HTN and DM
Post renal: Between the kidney and urethral meatus such as bladder cancer, calculi and infection
Enlarged prostate, Kidney stone, Edematous stoma (ileal conduit)
Acute Kidney Injury: Oliguric Phase and Interventions
For some, Oliguria (less than 400 ml/day) does not occur and urine output is normal. Otherwise, it lasts for 8 to 15 days; the longer = less chance of recovery.
Symptoms: FVE ( HTN, HF), Uremia (anorexia, N/V, pruritus, uremic frost), metabolic acidosis, Neurological changes, Pericarditis. Anemia (Not enough erythropoietin)
Elevated BUN and Creatinine, decreased GFR, Hyperkalemia, Decreased Sodium, Hypervolemia, Hypocalcemia. Osteoporosis.
Client will be treated with fluid challenges (IV boluses of 500 to 1000 an hour), Fluids will be restricted, Diuretics given to increase renal blood flow and diuresis of retained fluid and electrolytes.
The signs and symptoms of AKI are primarily caused by the retention of nitrogenous wastes, the retention of fluid and the inability of the kidneys to regulate electrolytes.
AKI can progress to chronic kidney disease.
Acute Kidney Injury: Diuretic Phase and Interventions
Urine output rises slowly followed by diuresis. Excessive urine output indicates that damaged nephrons have recovered ability to excrete wastes.
Dehydration, hypovolemia, hypotension and tachycardia can occur. LOC improves. Hypokalemia, Hyponatremia and Hypovolemia (Be cautious of shock).
Administer IV fluids as prescribed, which may contain electrolytes to replace losses
Chronic Kidney Disease: Description and Causes
A slow and progressive and irreversible loss in kidney function, with a GFR less than or equal to 60 ml/minute for 3 months or longer. It occurs in stages and eventually leads to end stage kidney disease.
CKD affects all major body systems and may require dialysis or kidney transplantation to maintain life.
Hypervolemia can occur because of the kidneys inability to secrete sodium and water; Hypovolemia can occur because of the kidneys inability to conserve sodium and water
Causes: May follow AKI DM and other metabolic disorders HTN Chronic urinary obstruction Recurrent infections Renal artery occlusions Autoimmune Disorders
Chronic Kidney Disease: Assessment
Neurological: Asterixis, Ataxia, Inability to concentrate or decreased attention span, Lethargy and daytime drowsiness, Myoclonus, Paresthesias, Seizures, Slurred speech, Tremors, twitching or jerky movements, Coma
Cardiovascular: HTN, HF, Peripheral Edema, Cardiomyopathy, Pericardial Effusion/friction rub, Uremic Pericarditis and Cardiac Tamponade
Respiratory: Crackles, Depressed Cough Reflex, SOB, Tachypnea, Kussmauls, Pleural Effusions, Pulmonary Edema, Uremic Halitosis/pneumonia
Hematological: Abnormal bruising and Bleeding
GI: Anorexia, N/V, Constipation, Diarrhea, Metallic taste in the mouth, Stomatitis, Uremic fetor/gastritis
Urinary: Polyuria, Nocturia, Proteinuria, Diluted Straw colored appearance, Hematuria, Oliguria (later)
Integumentary: Decreased skin turgor, Dry skin, Yellow -gray pallor, Ecchymosis, Pruritus, Purpura, soft tissue calcifications, Uremic frost (late, pre-morbid)
Musculoskeletal: Bone Pain, Muscle Weakness and cramping, pathological fractures, Renal Osteodystrophy
Reproductive: Decreased fertility, libido, Impotence, infrequent or absent menses
Chronic Kidney Disease: Interventions
Same as the interventions for AKI.
PUT ON CARDIAC MONITOR
Administer a prescribed diet (moderate protein), high carbohydrate, low potassium and low phosphorus
Provide Oral care to prevent stomatitis and reduce discomfort from mouth sores
Provide oral care to prevent pruritus
Teach the client about fluid and dietary restrictions and the importance of daily weights
Provide support and prepare client for dialysis and transplantation; encourage healthy life style and discuss choices.
Special problems in kidney disease: Activity intolerance and insomnia (fatigue results from anemia and the buildup of waste from the diseased kidneys) - provide adequate rest periods Anemia/GI Bleeding Hyperkalemia/Hypermagnesemia/Hypocalcemia Hyper/Hypovolemia HTN Infection Metabolic Acidosis Muscle cramps Neurological changes Ocular irritation Pruritus Psychosocial Problems
Anemia from Kidney Disease
Results from the decreased secretion of erythropoietin by damaged nephrons, resulting in decreased production of red blood cells
Monitor hcb/hct
Administer hematopoietics such as epoetin alfa pr darbepoetin alfa, as prescribed to promote maturity in RBC’s
Administer folic acid and iron (not at the same time as phosphate binders)
Blood transfusions ( can make organ transplantation diffucult)
Gastrointestinal Bleeding from Kidney disease
Urea is broken down by the intestinal bacteria to ammonia; ammonia irritates the GI mucosa, causing ulceration and bleeding.
Avoid ASA because it is excreted by the kidneys - aspirin toxicity can occur and prolong bleeding time
Infection from Kidney Disease
The client is at risk for infection caused by suppressed immune system, dialysis access site and possible malnutrition
Metabolic Acidosis from Kidney Disease
The kidneys are unable to excrete hydrogen ions or manufacture bicarbonate, resulting in acidosis
Administer sodium bicarb as soon as possible
Ocular Irritation from Kidney disease
Calcium deposits in the conjunctivae cause burning and watering in the eyes
