Kidney Failure Flashcards
What are the 2 classifications for Kidney Failure?
Renal failure can either be Acute Renal Failure (ARF), also known as Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) or Chronic (CRF).
ARF or AKI happens suddenly and is generally reversible if the cause is corrected.
CRF usually happens slowly over a period of time.
What is the number one cause of renal failure?
Diabetes (DM) is the #1 cause of CRF
Hypertension (HTN) is #2.
Irreversible damage occurs in _____ stages with a gradual decline in renal function.
5
By the time it gets to stage 5, there is only 10-15% of kidney function left and the remaining nephrons can no longer compensate.
At this point some type of renal replacement therapy is needed.
Renal Failure affects almost every system of the body:
DIGESTIVE:
uremia causes nausea/vomiting/diarrhea (n/v/d), loss of appetite
(anorexia).
Renal Failure affects almost every system of the body:
SKIN
dry, itchy, darkened
Renal Failure affects almost every system of the body:
CARDIOVASCULAR:
- Potassium (K+) causes muscle weakness including heart weakness, which can lead to arrhythmias, cardiac arrest and death,
- erythropoietin leads to
- RBC production in the bone marrow (this is the primary cause of anemia in ESRD patients ),
- fluid can cause increased blood pressure (BP) and edema.
Edema should be assessed pre and post treatment.
Renal Failure affects almost every system of the body:
SKELETAL:
With *Calcitriol (active Vitamin D) there is decreased absorption of Calcium (Ca++) from the gut.
The parathyroid hormone (PHT) also rises as a result. In order to keep blood Ca++ within a normal range, Ca++ is taken from the bones (due to elevated PTH) causing weak and brittle bones (osteodystrophy). Ca++ then combines with Phosphorus (P++) and deposits in soft tissue.
Renal Failure affects almost every system of the body:
LUNGS:
fluid in the lungs causes shortness of breath (SOB) and also puts the patient at risk for pulmonary infection.
