MY NUMBER ASSIGNED WAS 2 WHICH IS: Renal Failure
Each student will be assigned a number randomly. Whatever your number is, select the corresponding topic below, then post a minimum of 5 bullet points about the topic.
Your bullet points should address key components of the topic, such as what, how, who, & why. This information should not be basic things you learned in Med/Surg, but rather advanced critical care based.
Think about this as a group effort to create a study guide. Use ONLY your textbook, but do not cut & paste from the book.
Then create, find, or borrow a test style question about your topic & post at the bottom of your bullet points. The format needs to be multiple choice or select all that apply. Think NCLEX style.
Part 2:
Interview: You will take a few minutes and ask 2 people about their personal coping mechanisms for dealing with the stress of working in healthcare during this unique time of Covid. Stress can be physical, emotional, spiritual, or any combination of triggers. Ask a diverse variety of people, don’t forget those in other departments at different points of hierarchy. For example, ask your unit manager, environmental services, volunteers, patients, fellow nurses, etc. Write 2-3 paragraphs on your findings and impressions while respecting the person’s identity.
I’ll provide advanced critical care-based information on Renal Failure, including key components such as what, how, who, and why.
Renal Failure:
- What:
- Renal failure is a condition where the kidneys lose their ability to effectively filter and excrete waste products and excess fluids from the blood.
- It can be classified into two major types: acute renal failure (ARF) and chronic renal failure (CRF). ARF is a sudden and reversible decrease in renal function, while CRF is a gradual and irreversible decline in kidney function.
- How:
- The pathophysiology of renal failure involves multiple factors, such as impaired blood flow to the kidneys, damage to the renal tubules, and glomerular dysfunction.
- Causes of acute renal failure include conditions like sepsis, acute tubular necrosis, and nephrotoxic drug exposure. Chronic renal failure is often caused by underlying conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and glomerulonephritis.
- Management includes addressing the underlying cause, managing fluid and electrolyte imbalances, and, in severe cases, dialysis.
- Who:
- Patients at risk for renal failure include those with a history of chronic kidney disease, individuals with diabetes or hypertension, and those with a history of exposure to nephrotoxic agents.
- Critical care nurses, nephrologists, and intensivists are typically involved in the management of acute renal failure in the ICU setting.
- Chronic renal failure often involves a multidisciplinary approach, with nephrologists, dietitians, and social workers playing crucial roles in patient care.
- Why:
- Renal failure can lead to severe complications such as electrolyte imbalances, fluid overload, metabolic acidosis, and, if left untreated, can be life-threatening.
- Understanding renal failure is critical for healthcare professionals to provide appropriate care, as it often occurs in the critically ill population, particularly in intensive care units.
Test-style question: Which of the following factors is NOT a common cause of acute renal failure (ARF) in the critical care setting? a) Sepsis b) Acute tubular necrosis c) Diabetic nephropathy d) Nephrotoxic drug exposure