A renal patient has a calcium level of 7.5 mg/dL which symptoms may the nurse expect to see
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Acute kidney injury & COVID-19What is acute kidney injury (AKI)?Acute kidney injury (AKI), also known as acute renal failure (ARF), is a sudden episode of kidney failure or kidney damage that happens within a few hours or a few days. AKI causes a build-up of waste products in your blood and makes it hard for your kidneys to keep the right balance of fluid in your body. AKI can also affect other organs such as the brain, heart, and lungs. Acute kidney injury is common in patients who are in the hospital, in intensive care units, and especially in older adults. What are the signs and symptoms of acute kidney injury?Signs and symptoms of acute kidney injury differ depending on the cause and may include:
In some cases, AKI causes no symptoms and is only found through other tests done by your healthcare provider. What causes acute kidney injury?Acute kidney injury can have many different causes. AKI can be caused by the following: Decreased blood flow Some diseases and conditions can slow blood flow to your kidneys and cause AKI. These diseases and conditions include:
Direct Damage to the Kidneys Some disease and conditions can damage your kidneys and lead to AKI. Some examples include:
Blockage of the urinary tract In some people, conditions or diseases can block the passage of urine out of the body and can lead to AKI. Blockage can be caused by:
What tests are done to find out if I have acute kidney injury? Depending on the cause of your acute kidney injury, your healthcare provider will run different tests if he or she suspects that you may have AKI. It is important that AKI is found as soon as possible because it can lead to chronic kidney disease, or even kidney failure. It may also lead to heart disease or death. The following tests may be done:
What is the treatment for acute kidney injury? Treatment for AKI usually requires you to stay in a hospital. Most people with acute kidney injury are already in the hospital for another reason. How long you will stay in the hospital depends on the cause of your AKI and how quickly your kidneys recover. In more serious cases, dialysis may be needed to help replace kidney function until your kidneys recover. The main goal of your healthcare provider is to treat what is causing your acute kidney injury. Your healthcare provider will work to treat all of your symptoms and complications until your kidneys recover. After having AKI, your chances are higher for other health problems (such as kidney disease, stroke, heart disease) or having AKI again in the future. The chances for developing kidney disease and kidney failure increase every time AKI occurs. To protect yourself, you should follow up with your healthcare provider to keep track of your kidney function and recovery. The best ways to lower your chances of having kidney damage and to save kidney function are to prevent acute kidney injury or to find and treat it as early as possible. Last Reviewed: 08/11/2022 What happens when calcium levels are low?What happens when calcium levels are low? Hypocalcemia, also known as calcium deficiency disease, occurs when the blood has low levels of calcium. A long-term calcium deficiency can lead to dental changes, cataracts, alterations in the brain, and osteoporosis, which causes the bones to become brittle.
What are symptoms of low calcium in the blood?Symptoms of low blood calcium. painful muscle spasms and cramps.. twitching of muscles.. numbness or tingling in feet and hands.. numbness or tingling around the mouth.. What are the signs and symptoms of calcium toxicity?If you do have symptoms, they may includes:. Loss of appetite.. Nausea and vomiting.. Constipation and abdominal (belly) pain.. The need to drink more fluids and urinate more.. Tiredness, weakness, or muscle pain.. Confusion, disorientation, and difficulty thinking.. Headaches.. Depression.. What is the most significant symptom of hypocalcemia?Acute hypocalcemia can result in severe symptoms requiring hospitalization, whereas patients who gradually develop hypocalcemia are more likely to be asymptomatic. Symptoms of hypocalcemia most commonly include paresthesia, muscle spasms, cramps, tetany, circumoral numbness, and seizures.
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