Final answer:
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) typically affects older individuals, has a potentially reversible course, and in patients with AKI, cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death. AKI is distinct from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), whose common cause is diabetic nephropathy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is characterized by a sudden decline in kidney function. This can be identified by criteria such as increased serum creatinine or decreased urine output. Regarding the choices provided:
- B. It usually affects older people. While AKI can affect individuals of all ages, older people are at a higher risk due to factors like comorbidities and decreased physiological reserve.
- C. The disease course is potentially reversible. AKI can be reversible, especially if the underlying cause is identified and treated promptly. The aim of treatment is to return the patient to their baseline renal function.
- E. Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death. In patients with AKI, cardiovascular disease is often the leading cause of mortality, rather than infection.
The primary cause of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), however, is diabetic nephropathy, and while CKD can lead to end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis or kidney transplant, it is not the same as AKI which specifically refers to acute changes in renal function.