Acute Renal Failure (ARF)
Diagnosis
The cause of ARF can be determined thorough history and physical
examination, blood tests, urine studies and a renal ultrasound examination.
Acute Renal
Failure is usually diagnosed using blood and urine tests to check kidney function.
These tests include blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, complete blood
count (CBC) and a urinalysis.
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test -
This test measures the amount of nitrogen in your blood that comes from the waste
product urea. A BUN test is done to estimate the functioning of kidney. The BUN
level increases, if the kidneys are not able to remove urea from the blood. Heart
failure, dehydration, certain medicines, intestinal bleeding can also increase
the BUN level. Liver disease or damage can decrease the BUN level
Serum creatinine -This test measure the level of the waste product
creatinine in the blood and urine. If the kidneys are damaged and cannot
function normally, the amount of creatinine in the urine decreases while the
amount of creatinine in the blood increases.
Complete blood count (CBC) - A CBC provides important information about the red blood cells, white blood cells,
and platelets. It can be used to check for diseases or infections that could be
causing renal failure.
Urinalysis - Urinalysis examine the sample of the urine for color, clarity, odor, concentration,
and acidity. It also checks for abnormal levels of protein, sugar, and blood cells
or other substances found in the urine. The presence of protein in the urine indicates
kidney damage.
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