Final answer:
Acute renal failure is an immediately life-threatening condition with potential for full recovery if the individual survives the incident, characterized by rapid loss of renal function and often marked by oliguria.
Step-by-step explanation:
The condition that is immediately life-threatening but potentially allows for full recovery if the individual survives the initial incident is acute renal failure (ARF). ARF is characterized by a rapid loss of renal function, often indicated by a decrease in urine production known as oliguria. Causes of ARF are categorized into pre-renal, renal, and post-renal, with each category corresponding to different origins of the condition such as hypovolemia, disruptions due to substances like medicines, or obstructions from causes such as kidney stones or an enlarged prostate.
Acute renal failure can be acute-on-chronic, occurring on top of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The goal of treatment in ARF is to attempt to restore the patient to their baseline renal function. In this scenario, recovery may be possible following the management of the acute episode, whereas chronic conditions like chronic renal failure typically progress over time and may not allow for full recovery.