Question

Your patient returns from the operating room after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Which symptom is a sign of acute renal failure?

A. Anuria
B. Diarrhea
C. Oliguria
D. Vomiting

Answer 1

Oliguria is a sign of acute renal failure post-abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, and is defined as significantly reduced urine production, less than 400 ml per day in adults.

Step-by-step explanation:

A symptom of acute renal failure following abdominal aortic aneurysm repair would be oliguria, which is characterized by significantly decreased urine production. Oliguria in adults is defined as urine output of less than 400 ml per day, or in more precise terms, less than 0.5 ml/kg/h in children and less than 1 ml/kg/h in infants. An anuria, which indicates a complete cessation of urine excretion, is also a sign of acute renal failure, but when considering the choices provided in the context of abdominal surgery and acute renal failure, oliguria remains the classic and earliest symptom among the options listed.

Renal failure can result from pre-renal, renal, and post-renal causes, with symptoms that may include oliguria, an elevated serum creatinine level, and metabolic disturbances such as metabolic acidosis or alkalosis, depending on the underlying cause and severity. In the case described, medical ultrasonography may be necessary to define the cause and extent of the renal failure.