Final answer:
The lab finding indicative of diminished renal function in a renal failure patient is increased serum urea and serum creatinine. These levels are elevated due to impaired kidney function, which is a key feature of both acute renal failure and chronic kidney disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
When reviewing lab results for a patient with renal failure, a finding that is indicative of diminished renal function is increased serum urea and serum creatinine. Renal failure, whether acute or chronic, leads to a diminished glomerular filtration rate, resulting in an accumulation of waste products in the blood. The key biochemical markers that are elevated due to impaired kidney function include serum creatinine, which should normally be within the range of 0.8-1.2 mg/dl for males and 0.6-0.9 mg/dl for females, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), with normal values ranging from 8-20 mg/dl or blood urea ranging from 15-40 mg/dl. Additionally, an increase in the blood urea level above 300 mg/dl is termed as renal uremia and is a direct consequence of kidney disorders.
Other symptoms associated with kidney failure include metabolic acidosis, excessive urination, oliguria, and long-term complications like cardiovascular disease. It is crucial to differentiate chronic kidney disease (CKD) from acute renal failure (ARF), as ARF may be reversible and gives rise to different treatment approaches.