Explain the pathophysiology of acute renal failure. Include prerenal, intrarenal and postrenal causes. The pathophysiology of acute renal failure occurs when the kidney no longer functions properly. The prerenal causes of acute renal failure are the absence of renal prefusion. The main cause of prerenal disease is ischemia or insufficient blood flow to the kidney. This lack of perfusion leads to renal failure. Some causes of acute prerenal kidney failure may include blood loss or dehydration. Intrarenal causes are kidney damage. Some causes of intrarenal damage are trauma to the kidney or medications that damage the kidneys. Post-renal kidney failure occurs when urine cannot be excreted normally through the kidney. Common causes of post-renal kidney failure include urinary tract obstruction. What diagnostic tests would be used to diagnose acute kidney injury? How do these tests change as kidney failure progresses through its 3 stages? Discuss, compare and contrast the 3 steps. Some tests used by doctors to diagnose acute kidney injury include blood urea nitrogen, urinalysis, serum creatinine levels, and serum potassium levels. A blood urea nitrogen test can help you determine how well your kidneys are working. A urinalysis is used to help detect what is wrong or the severity of kidney failure. A serum creatinine level test is used to detect how well the kidneys are functioning. A serum potassium level test, such as the serum creatinine test, is also a good indicator of how well the kidneys are filtering. Doctors also use an ultrasound, X-ray, or MRI to examine the kidneys. In the first stage of renal failure, the first stage of initial acute renal function is diminished. Signs and symptoms will begin to appear with any tests performed. middle of paper glomerular filtration rate ......ng and trying to get the patient to adhere to a proper diet. Long-term goals include compliance with medication and therapy, helping the patient adjust to their new lifestyle, and trying to prevent infection. Works cited 1) Atrial fibrillation; New findings reported by the University of Birmingham outline advances in the field of atrial fibrillation. (2011, May). Obesity, Fitness and Wellness Week,771. Retrieved May 12, 2011, from Research Library. (Document ID: 2343077951).2) Torpy, J., Lynm, C., & Golub, R. (2011). Kidney transplantation. JAMA, 305(6), 634. Retrieved May 12, 2011 from Research Library. (Document ID: 2275042271).3) Zhang, Y., Cotter, D., & Thamer, M. (2011). The effect of dialysis chains on mortality in hemodialysis patients. Health Services Research, 46(3), 747-767. Retrieved May 12, 2011, from Research Library. (document ID: 2335834101).