Acute Kidney Injury Essay Example

or return electrolyte and acid-base balance to within normal limits by discharge, and patient will maintain or return fluid volume status to within normal limits by discharge. Implementation Since one of the major causes of AKI is sepsis treating the Infection Is a very important part of the care plan. This includes administration of antibiotics and other medications and treatments In a timely and appropriate manner.

Another area of Infection often associated with AKI Is urinary catheters. Catheters are often necessary in AKI because of the need for accurate output measurements, so diligent and effective catheter care is essential In preventing a HAI. Another Intervention related to catheters is the removal at the earliest possible time. Close monitoring of t intake and output is one of the most important implementations to maintain fluid balance. Some other things to monitor are heart rate, blood pressure, CVP, PAOP, cardiac output, and cardiac index.

Preventing severe electrolyte and acid-base balance disturbances is accomplished by closely monitoring laboratory values. Hyperkalemia and hypocalcemia can result in life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias, hyponatremia can result in fluid overload, and hyperphosphatemia results in severe pruritus. Electrolytes are often replaced by IV fluids but some nursing interventions to treat hyperphosphatemia are: frequent skin care with emollients to prevent itching, discouraging scratching, and administering phosphate-binding medications (Urden et al. 2012).

Evaluation The laboratory values will determine the effectiveness of the interventions implemented by the nurse. If the patient's electrolytes and acid-base levels are within normal limits the interventions were successful. If the patient doesn't develop a HAI the interventions have worked. Intake and output, daily weight measurements, and hemodynamic values (heart rate, blood pressure, CVP, PAOP, cardiac output, and

cardiac index) determine the status of fluid volume overload.

Conclusion The nurse is the patient's first line of defense against many of the complications AK'. The nurse monitors the laboratory values and notifies the physician of any abnormal values to obtain orders to give medications and IV fluids to correct imbalances. If the nurse is not monitoring these laboratory values closely enough it can be life- threatening for the patient. An alert and responsible nurse is the patient's best defense against complications of AK'.