Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

What is AKI?

A sudden and rapid decline in kidney function.

What are the three main causes of AKI?

Prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal causes.

What is a prerenal cause of AKI?

Reduced blood flow to the kidneys due to factors like severe dehydration or hemorrhage.

What is an intrarenal cause of AKI?

Direct structural damage to the kidney itself, such as acute tubular necrosis.

What is a postrenal cause of AKI?

Mechanical obstruction of urine outflow anywhere along the urinary tract.

What are the phases of AKI?

Onset/initiation, oliguric phase, diuretic phase, and recovery phase.

What occurs during the oliguric phase of AKI?

Urine output drops below 400 mL/day, increasing the risk for fluid overload and metabolic acidosis.

What occurs during the diuretic phase of AKI?

Kidneys begin to recover and urine output increases dramatically, with risks for dehydration.

What is the primary method for diagnosing AKI?

Serum creatinine and GFR monitoring, along with urine output and renal ultrasound.

What is CKD?

Gradual, progressive, irreversible loss of kidney function or structural damage.

What are common symptoms of CKD?

Nausea/vomiting, profound fatigue, dry itchy skin, muscle cramps, peripheral edema.

What are some causes of CKD?

Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidney disease.

What is a common treatment for CKD?

Use of ACE inhibitors or ARBs to reduce intraglomerular pressure.

What dietary restrictions are recommended for CKD patients?

Limit sodium, minimize potassium and phosphorus intake, and regulate protein amounts.

What is a significant risk associated with hyperkalemia in CKD?

Risk for sudden cardiac arrest.

What is the management strategy for fluid balance in AKI?

IV bolus to restore volume in prerenal causes, fluid restriction, and diuretics in intrarenal causes.

What is the role of renal replacement therapy in AKI?

Dialysis may be required for severe cases of AKI.