How might a nurse assess a patient experiencing acute kidney injury?

Assessing changes in urine output is crucial for monitoring a patient experiencing acute kidney injury (AKI). Urine output is a direct indicator of kidney function; a decrease in urine output, known as oliguria, can signify that the kidneys are not filtering waste effectively or are under stress. Additionally, an increase in urine output may indicate a recovery phase in AKI or a response to treatment. Therefore, consistently tracking urinary output helps healthcare providers gauge the severity of the kidney injury and make informed decisions regarding interventions and treatment plans.

While monitoring blood glucose levels, heart rate, and respiratory rate are vital components of patient assessment, they are not specifically indicative of kidney function or the direct impact of acute kidney injury. Blood glucose monitoring may help in diabetic patients or those at risk for diabetic nephropathy, but it does not reflect kidney injury directly. Heart rate and respiratory rate may provide general information about a patient’s status, but changes in these parameters are not specifically linked to renal function. Thus, urine output remains the most relevant and direct assessment tool for evaluating a patient with AKI.