Assessment of patients presenting with acute renal failure (acute kidney injury)

Abstract 

Acute renal failure (acute kidney injury) is a clinical syndrome characterized by a rapid reduction in renal excretory function underpinned by a variety of causes. Key aspects in the assessment of patients presenting with acute renal failure include assessment of volume status, assessment aimed at eliminating intrinsic renal disease as a cause and an assessment of renal morphology and presence or absence of obstruction.

Keywords: acute kidney injury, acute renal failure, acute tubular necrosis, fluid balance, intrinsic renal failure, post-renal failure, pre-renal failure, prevention, ultrasound, urinalysis