NAPLEX Practice Question # 64

NAPLEX Examination.

Practice Question # 64.

ACUTE RENAL FAILURE

Definition.

Acute renal failure (ARF) is the sudden, potentially reversible interruption of kidney function, resulting in retention of nitrogenous waste products in body fl uids.

Classification and etiology. ARF is classified according to its cause.

Prerenal  ARF stems from impaired renal perfusion, which may result from

• reduced arterial blood volume (e.g., dehydration, hemorrhage, vomiting, diarrhea, other gastrointestinal [GI] fl uid loss).
• urinary losses from excessive diuresis.
• decreased cardiac output (e.g., from congestive heart failure [CHF] or pericardial tamponade).
• renal vascular obstruction (e.g., stenosis).
• severe hypotension.