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Acute kidney injury (acute kidney failure)

Acute kidney injury is a sudden decrease in kidney function that can follow dehydration, severe illness, urinary obstruction, toxins or medication-related effects. It ranges from reversible dysfunction to life-threatening organ failure.

At a glance

Quick facts

Category
Genitourinary disorders
What it is
Acute kidney injury is a sudden decrease in kidney function that can follow dehydration, severe illness, urinary obstruction, toxins or medication-related effects.
Typical presentation
Reduced urine output, swelling, nausea, confusion or breathlessness may occur, but the problem can also be detected on routine blood tests.
Assessment
Changes in serum creatinine and urine output, clinical fluid status, medicines, urine testing and sometimes ultrasound help identify the cause.
Treatment approach
Management focuses on correcting the cause, maintaining appropriate fluid and electrolyte balance and adjusting medications; severe cases may require dialysis.
Key safety concern
Little or no urine, chest symptoms, severe weakness, confusion or shortness of breath needs immediate medical care.

Names & terminology

Understanding the name

Acute kidney injury is a sudden decrease in kidney function that can follow dehydration, severe illness, urinary obstruction, toxins or medication-related effects. It ranges from reversible dysfunction to life-threatening organ failure.

Clinical reference

Clinical profile

Summary
CategoryGenitourinary disorders
What it isAcute kidney injury is a sudden decrease in kidney function that can follow dehydration, severe illness, urinary obstruction, toxins or medication-related effects.
Typical presentationReduced urine output, swelling, nausea, confusion or breathlessness may occur, but the problem can also be detected on routine blood tests.
AssessmentChanges in serum creatinine and urine output, clinical fluid status, medicines, urine testing and sometimes ultrasound help identify the cause.
Treatment approachManagement focuses on correcting the cause, maintaining appropriate fluid and electrolyte balance and adjusting medications; severe cases may require dialysis.
Key safety concernLittle or no urine, chest symptoms, severe weakness, confusion or shortness of breath needs immediate medical care.

Overview

Acute kidney injury is a sudden decrease in kidney function that can follow dehydration, severe illness, urinary obstruction, toxins or medication-related effects. It ranges from reversible dysfunction to life-threatening organ failure.

Symptoms and presentation

Reduced urine output, swelling, nausea, confusion or breathlessness may occur, but the problem can also be detected on routine blood tests.

CLINICAL FEATURES

Presentation and warning signs

The pattern varies and cannot replace an individual assessment.

Clinical overview
Presentation
  • Reduced urine output
  • swelling
  • nausea
  • confusion or breathlessness may occur
Clinical assessment
  • Changes in serum creatinine and urine output, clinical fluid status, medicines, urine testing and sometimes ultrasound help identify the cause
  • Interpret results with history and examination
When to seek urgent care
  • Little or no urine, chest symptoms, severe weakness, confusion or shortness of breath needs immediate medical care.

Emergency symptoms and clinical severity should be assessed locally.

Clinical assessment and diagnosis

Changes in serum creatinine and urine output, clinical fluid status, medicines, urine testing and sometimes ultrasound help identify the cause.

ASSESSMENT

How the clinical assessment proceeds

Exact investigations depend on the clinical context.

Clinical workflow
1Define the symptom patternReduced urine output, swelling, nausea, confusion or breathlessness may occur, but the problem can also be detected on routine blood tests.
2Assess disease or alternative causesChanges in serum creatinine and urine output, clinical fluid status, medicines, urine testing and sometimes ultrasound help identify the cause.
3Discuss care and monitoringManagement focuses on correcting the cause, maintaining appropriate fluid and electrolyte balance and adjusting medications; severe cases may require dialysis.

Treatment and management

Management focuses on correcting the cause, maintaining appropriate fluid and electrolyte balance and adjusting medications; severe cases may require dialysis.

Treatment & care hub

Elements of care

Individual treatment is based on diagnosis, comorbidities and clinician assessment.

Management overview
Confirm diagnosisFirst step

Understand the underlying condition

Changes in serum creatinine and urine output, clinical fluid status, medicines, urine testing and sometimes ultrasound help identify the cause.

Tailor treatmentIndividualized

Choose evidence-based management

Management focuses on correcting the cause, maintaining appropriate fluid and electrolyte balance and adjusting medications; severe cases may require dialysis.

Monitor safetyImportant

Recognize warning signs

Little or no urine, chest symptoms, severe weakness, confusion or shortness of breath needs immediate medical care.

Diagnosis→Tailored care→Monitoring

Complications and when to seek help

Little or no urine, chest symptoms, severe weakness, confusion or shortness of breath needs immediate medical care.

EVIDENCE AND DATA

Interpreting population statistics

Comparable, disease-specific prevalence or incidence data have not yet been curated for this entry. No prevalence estimate is supplied.

MedlinePlus Health Topics ↗
Data availabilityNot quantifiedUse condition-specific epidemiology, not estimated figures
No unsupported regional or country comparison is presented.

Frequently asked questions

What is Acute kidney injury (acute kidney failure)?

Acute kidney injury is a sudden decrease in kidney function that can follow dehydration, severe illness, urinary obstruction, toxins or medication-related effects. It ranges from reversible dysfunction to life-threatening organ failure.

How is it assessed?

Changes in serum creatinine and urine output, clinical fluid status, medicines, urine testing and sometimes ultrasound help identify the cause.

When should I seek urgent help?

Little or no urine, chest symptoms, severe weakness, confusion or shortness of breath needs immediate medical care.

Sources

  1. MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine — Acute kidney injury (acute kidney failure) — health topic ↗

This is an editorial evidence summary awaiting independent clinician review. It is not a diagnosis, a treatment plan, or a substitute for personalized medical care.