Question

The spouse of a client with acute kidney injury secondary to heart failure asks the nurse how a heart problem can affect the kidneys. The nurse should formulate a response using what fact about the kidneys?

1.The kidneys get fatigued from having to filter too much fluid.
2.The kidneys can react adversely to moderate doses of furosemide.
3.The kidneys will shut down easily if serum levels of digoxin are high.
4.The kidneys generally require and receive about 20% to 25% of the resting cardiac output.

Answer 1

Heart problems can affect the kidneys because they 4) generally require and receive about 20% to 25% of the resting cardiac output. In heart failure, the heart's reduced ability to pump blood decreases kidney perfusion, potentially leading to renal dysfunction or failure due to insufficient filtration and regulation functions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The spouse of a client with acute kidney injury secondary to heart failure has asked how heart problems can affect the kidneys. The nurse should inform the spouse that the kidneys play a critical role in maintaining homeostasis by regulating fluid balance, waste excretion, and electrolyte levels. When heart function is impaired, as in heart failure, the reduced cardiac output leads to less blood being delivered to the kidneys. This decreased perfusion can hinder the kidneys' ability to function properly.

Given the options provided, the most factual statement is that the kidneys generally require and receive about 20% to 25% of the resting cardiac output. If the heart cannot pump efficiently, this can dramatically impact the kidneys' perfusion, leading to potential renal dysfunction or failure. Lack of sufficient blood flow can result in a cascade of negative effects, including the inability to filter blood, regulate blood pressure, and maintain electrolyte balance. Therefore, the heart's pumping efficacy directly relates to the kidneys' ability to perform their vital functions.