ACUTE and CHRONIC RENAL FAILURE RENAL ASSESSMENT Structure and Functions of the Renal System Copyright © 2004, 2000, Mosby, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Structure and Functions of the Renal System: Nephron Copyright © 2004, 2000, Mosby, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Purpose of the Kidneys • Kidneys perform certain functions – EXCRETORY – REGULATORY – ENDOCRINE The purpose is so that the body can maintain homeostasis Copyright © 2004, 2000, Mosby, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Purpose of the Kidneys • RID THE BODY OF WASTES OF METABOLISM (UREA, CREATININE) • MAINTAIN FLUID AND ELECTROLYTE BALANCE: • ACTIVATE VITAMIN D • MAINTAIN ACID-BASE BALANCE • CONTROL BLOOD PRESSURE • STIMULATE RBC PRODUCTION & PROLONG RBC LIFE Copyright © 2004, 2000, Mosby, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ASSESSMENT OF RENAL FUNCTION • Blood tests • Urinalysis • Clearance tests Copyright © 2004, 2000, Mosby, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ASSESSMENT OF RENAL FUNCTION • Blood tests: – plasma creatinine (more reliable than BUN as a determinant of renal function) • Normal: 44 – 133 μmol/Litre – blood urea nitrogen, BUN levels • Normal: 1.8 – 7.1 mmol/Litre Copyright © 2004, 2000, Mosby, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ASSESSMENT OF RENAL FUNCTION • Urinalysis – total urine volume and specific gravity: • 1.016 – 1.022 – proteinuria (albuminuria) – WBCs, RBCs, casts – bacteria in the urine – Creatinine: 124 -230 μmol/kg/day Copyright © 2004, 2000, Mosby, Inc. All Rights Reserved. ASSESSMENT OF RENAL FUNCTION • Clearance tests – 24 hour Creatinine Clearance tests: estimate of GFR • 1.5 – 2.3 mL/sec – How done? Copyright © 2004, 2000, Mosby, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Assessment of the Urinary System • Subjective Data – Important Health Information • Past health history • Medications • Surgery or other treatments Copyright © 2004, 2000, Mosby, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Assessment of the Urinary System (cont.) – Functional Health Patterns • • • • • • • • • • • Health perception – health management Nutritional – metabolic Elimination Activity – exercise Sleep – rest Cognitive – perceptual Self-perception – self-concept Role – relationship Sexuality – reproductive Coping – stress tolerance Value – belief Copyright © 2004, 2000, Mosby, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Assessment of the Urinary System (cont.) • Objective Data – Physical Examination • Inspection • Palpation • Percussion • Auscultation Copyright © 2004, 2000, Mosby, Inc. All Rights Reserved.