Final answer:
A low GFR and high creatinine level indicate impaired kidney function, signaling chronic kidney disease (CKD). This can lead to complications and affects medication dosing due to reduced waste filtration by the kidneys.
Step-by-step explanation:
A low glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and elevated creatinine level indicate impaired kidney function. A GFR below 60 mL/min/1.73 m² for 3 or more months signifies chronic kidney disease (CKD). This level of GFR suggests a loss of half or more of normal adult kidney capacity, which may lead to complications like fluid imbalances, acidosis, abnormal electrolyte levels, and increased risks of cardiovascular disease.
High serum creatinine typically signals reduced kidney function, as creatinine, a waste product from muscle metabolism, should be filtered out by the kidneys. Healthy kidneys will maintain a normal GFR by filtering blood and excreting waste products like creatinine in urine. Reduced GFR, as a measure of renal function, has significant implications for patient care, including the necessity to adjust dosages for medications that are excreted via the kidneys.
CKD progresses through stages, with lower GFR's indicating more advanced disease. Stage 3 CKD presents a moderate reduction in GFR (30-59 mL/min/1.73 m²), with stage 4 being severe (15-29 mL/min/1.73 m²), and stage 5 signifying established kidney failure (GFR <15 mL/min/1.73 m²). Creatinine clearance tests are commonly used to estimate GFR for clinical evaluations.