Final answer:
The further tests that help to identify decreased kidney function at an early stage in a diabetic patient with moderate proteinuria are serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and evaluation of microalbuminuria.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a routine urinalysis for a diabetic patient reveals moderate proteinuria, there are several further tests that can help to identify decreased kidney function at an early stage. The tests that can be helpful in this situation include:
- Serum creatinine: This blood test measures the level of creatinine, a waste product that is normally filtered by the kidneys. Higher levels of creatinine in the blood can indicate decreased kidney function.
- Glomerular filtration rate (GFR): GFR is a measure of how well the kidneys are filtering waste products from the blood. A decrease in GFR can indicate decreased kidney function.
- Evaluation of microalbuminuria: This test measures the level of microalbumin, a protein that can indicate early kidney damage. Higher levels of microalbumin in the urine can indicate decreased kidney function.