Question

What diagnostic test is helpful in identifying the cause of ARF?

1) Blood tests
2) Urine tests
3) Imaging tests
4) Biopsy

Answer 1

Blood tests, urine tests, imaging tests, and biopsy are all diagnostic tests that can help identify the cause of Acute Renal Failure (ARF). Abdominal ultrasound is particularly useful in differentiating ARF from Chronic Kidney Disease by measuring kidney size and checking for blockages.

Step-by-step explanation:

The diagnostic test that is helpful in identifying the cause of Acute Renal Failure (ARF) can involve a combination of the following:

• Blood tests to measure substances such as serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN).
• Urine tests to detect abnormal substances like proteins, red blood cells, and cellular casts that can indicate kidney damage.
• Imaging tests such as abdominal ultrasound to measure kidney size and to check for obstructions, and advanced imaging like a MAG3 scan or DMSA scan, which use Technetium-99 for renal imaging.
• A biopsy of the kidney may be conducted to look for specific types of kidney damage.

Particularly, the abdominal ultrasound can differentiate between Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and ARF by measuring the size of the kidneys, as kidneys with CKD are usually smaller (< 9 cm). An ultrasound or other imaging tests might also be used to rule out urinary tract obstructions that could cause ARF.