a. Acute renal failure is the sudden and severe loss of kidney function.

As in chronic renal failure, all body systems become disrupted by the inability of the kidneys to filter metabolic wastes.

b. Acute renal failure may be the result of one of the following:

(1) Trauma.

(2) Nephrotoxic drugs.

(3) Transfusion reaction.

(4) Cardiopulmonary bypass.

(5) Hypovolemic hypertension (as a result of hemorrhage or burns, for example).

(6) Dehydration.

(7) Sepsis.

(8) Obstruction of the renal arteries.

(9) Mechanical obstruction of the urinary tract (stones, strictures, tumor).

c. Clinical manifestations.

(1) Clinical manifestations are the same as for chronic renal failure, except that the onset of symptoms is not insidious as in chronic renal failure. An abrupt cessation of renal function will bring about rapid changes as the body struggles to maintain its homeostatic environment.

(2) Blood analysis will reveal a rise in serum levels of elements normally excreted by the kidneys.

(a) Urea.

(b) Uric acid.

(c) Creatinine.

(d) Potassium.