Acute kidney injury (AKI) is where your kidneys suddenly stop working properly. It can range from minor loss of kidney function to complete kidney failure. AKI normally happens as a complication of another serious illness. It's not the result of a physical blow to the kidneys, as the name might suggest. This type of kidney damage is usually seen in older people who are unwell with
other conditions and the kidneys are also affected. It's essential that AKI is detected early and treated promptly. Without quick treatment, abnormal levels of salts and chemicals can build up in the body, which affects the ability of other organs to work properly. If the kidneys shut down completely, this may require temporary support from a dialysis machine, or lead to death. AKI can also affect children and young people. Find out more from infoKID about AKI in children Symptoms of acute kidney injurySymptoms of AKI include:
Even if it does not progress to complete kidney failure, AKI needs to be taken seriously. It has an effect on the whole body, changes how some medicines are handled by the body, and could make some existing illnesses more serious. AKI is different from chronic kidney disease, where the kidneys gradually lose function over a long period of time. Who's at risk of acute kidney injury?You're more likely to get AKI if:
Causes of acute kidney injuryMost cases of AKI are caused by reduced blood flow to the kidneys, usually in someone who's already unwell with another health condition. This reduced blood flow could be caused by:
AKI can also be caused by a problem with the kidney itself, such as inflammation of the filters in the kidney (glomerulonephritis), the blood vessels (vasculitis), or other structures in the kidney. This may be caused by a reaction to some medicines, infections or the liquid dye used in some types of X-rays. It may sometimes be the result of a blockage affecting the drainage of the kidneys, such as:
Diagnosing acute kidney injuryA doctor may suspect AKI if you:
AKI is usually diagnosed with a blood test to measure your levels of creatinine, a chemical waste product produced by the muscles. If there's a lot of creatinine in your blood, it means your kidneys are not working as well as they should. You may also be asked to give a pee sample. Find out more from InfoKID about AKI in children Investigating the underlying causeUrine can be tested for protein, blood cells, sugar and waste products, which may give clues to the underlying cause. Doctors also need to know about:
An ultrasound scan should reveal if the cause is a blockage in the urinary system, such as an enlarged prostate or bladder tumour. Treating acute kidney injuryTreatment of AKI depends on what's causing your illness and how severe it is. You may need:
You may need to go to hospital for some treatments. Most people with AKI make a full recovery, but some people go on to develop chronic kidney disease or long-term kidney failure as a result. In severe cases, dialysis – where a machine filters the blood to rid the body of harmful waste, extra salt and water – may be needed. Preventing acute kidney injuryThose at risk of AKI should be monitored with regular blood tests if they become unwell or start new medicine. It's also useful to check how much pee you're passing. Any warning signs of AKI, such as vomiting or producing little pee, require immediate investigation for AKI and treatment. People who are dehydrated or at risk of dehydration may need to be given fluids through a drip. Any medicine that seems to be making the problem worse or directly damaging the kidneys needs to be stopped, at least temporarily. Complications of acute kidney injuryThe most serious complications of acute kidney injury include:
Page last reviewed: 08 September 2022 Which finding would a nurse assess for during the oliguric phase of kidney failure?In the oliguric phase, signs of fluid volume overload, such as edema, distended neck veins, hyper- tension, pulmonary edema, and heart failure, may occur. In addition to signs of volume overload, metabolic acido- sis, hyperkalemia, hyperphosphatemia, and uremic symptoms may also be present.
What is the oliguric phase of acute kidney injury?Oliguria, defined as urine output <0.5 mL/kg per hour and observed within the first 12 hours following recognition of septic shock, was positively associated with the development of AKI (defined by a serum creatinine increment according to the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes [KDIGO] stage II criteria), need ...
Which nursing intervention is most important during the oliguric phase of acute kidney injury?The answer is C. The patient with AKI, especially in the oliguric stage of AKI, should eat a low-protein, low-potassium, and low-sodium diet. This is because the kidneys are unable to filter out waste products, excessive water, and maintain electrolyte balance.
When caring for a patient during the oliguric phase of acute renal failure what is the appropriate nursing intervention?The oliguric patient with adequate circulating volume or fluid overload who is unresponsive to fluid restriction and diuretics requires dialysis. Note: During oliguric phase, “push/pull” therapy (push IV fluids and diurese with diuretics) may be tried to stimulate kidney function.
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