What Happens in Acute Renal Failure
CHANGE
SIGNS AND SYPMTOMS
Decreased blood flow
Early signs: oliguria, azotemia,
anuria (rarely)
Increasing uremia and renal
dysfunction
Electrolyte imbalance,
metabolic acidosis
Electrolyte imbalance
Anorexia, nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea
Altered cerebral perfusion
Headache, drowsiness,
irritability, confusion,
peripheral neuropathy,
seizures, coma
Buildup of toxins and
stimulation of sympathetic
nervous system
Dry skin. Pruritus, pallor,
purpura, dry mucous
membranes, uremic frost
(rarely)
Altered volume status
Hypotension (early),
hypertension (later),
arrythmias, fluid overload,
heart failure, pulmonary
edema, systematic edema,
anemia, altered clotting
mechanisms