Acute kidney failure

Kidney failure; Renal failure; Renal failure - acute; ARF; Kidney injury - acute

• Bloody stools
• Breath odor
• Brusing easily
• Changes in mental status or mood
• Decreased appetite
• Decreased sensation , especially in the hands or feet
• Fatigue
• Flank pain (between the ribs and hips)
• Hand tremor
• High blood pressure
• Metallic taste in mouth
• Nausea or vomiting, may last for days
• Nosebleeds
• Persistent hiccups
• Prolonged bleeding
• Seizures
• Slow, sluggish movements
• Swelling - generalized (fluid retention)
• Swelling of the ankle, feet, and leg swelling
• Urination changes:
  • Decrease in amount of urine
  • Excessive urination at night
  • Urination stops completely

Many patients have generalized swelling caused by fluid retention. The doctor may hear a heart murmur, crackles in the lungs, or signs of inflammation of the lining of the heart when listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope.

The results of laboratory tests may change suddenly (within a few days to 2 weeks). Such tests may include:

• BUN
• Creatinine clearance
• Serum creatinine
• Serum potassium
• Urinalysis

A kidney or abdominal ultrasound is the preferred test for diagnosing kidney failure, but abdominal x-ray, abdominal CT scan, or abdominal MRI can tell if there is a blockage in the urinary tract.

Blood tests may help reveal the underlying cause of kidney failure. Arterial blood gas and blood chemistries may show metabolic acidosis.