Question

a client is being treated in the icu for neurogenic shock secondary to a spinal cord injury. despite aggressive interventions, the client's mean arterial pressure (map) has fallen to 55 mm hg. the nurse should gauge the onset of acute kidney injury by referring to what laboratory findings?

Answer 1

Acute kidney injury in neurogenic shock with low MAP can be identified by increased serum creatinine, decreased urine output, and abnormal BUN and electrolyte levels as indicators of impaired renal function.

Step-by-step explanation:

The onset of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a client with neurogenic shock and a mean arterial pressure (MAP) fallen to 55 mm Hg can be gauged by monitoring specific laboratory findings. When the MAP is below the range of 60 mm Hg, it indicates insufficient blood pressure to maintain adequate tissue circulation and oxygenation, potentially causing AKI.

To identify AKI, one should look for an increase in serum creatinine, a decrease in urine output (less than 1 mL/kg body weight/hour), and abnormalities in electrolytes, especially an elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN). These symptoms are indicative of the kidneys' reduced ability to filter blood and maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.