Through this assignment we will explore the causes, diagnostic tests, subjective and objective signs and symptoms, dietary modifications that a nurse should teach, medical management of renal failure acute kidney injury and finally the brief and long term goals that a nurse should set for their client. There are three causes of acute kidney injury: prerenal causes, renal causes, and postrenal causes. Prerenal causes are due to factors such as dehydration, i.e. vomiting, diarrhea, sweating or poor fluid intake. Other factors could also include poor or irregular blood flow to and from the kidneys due to blockage of the renal artery or vein. Intrarenal renal failure is damage directly to the kidney. Causes include sepsis (the body becomes overwhelmed by the infection and shuts down), multiple myeloma (acute glomerulonephritis or inflammation of the kidneys' filtering system) as well as rhabdomyolysis (the body has broken down muscles and these fibers obstruct the filtering system). Post-renal causes are factors that affect the flow of urine. These factors include tumors that may surround the ureters, prostate cancer that could prevent the bladder from emptying, and kidney stones. Kidney stones can only cause failure if there is only one. Because we know the causes, we can now explore them by carrying out examinations which will tell us the best course of action. The first step in any client consultation is to review their medical history as well as a physical exam. The first test is known as the serum creatine test. If the cause of the failure is prerenal, creatine in the blood will increase. Another test is the examination of blood urea nitrogen. If your kidney cannot excrete waste, then your BUN levels will increase... middle of paper... until clients recover. Therapy also includes, but is not limited to, support groups. These support groups will help clients by providing moral support on the road to recovery. Kidney failure is a disease that takes lives every day. It is important to educate our communities to prevent this disease before it even begins. If a client is experiencing kidney failure, it is important to maintain kidney function in the acute stage so that it does not progress to chronic stages. Works CitedAnne C. Poinier, KR, Mitchell H. Rosner (2009, rev. June 3, 2009). 2009). Acute renal failure. Retrieved July 30, 2011 from http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/acute-renal-failure-topic-overview Scott Walters, CP, Patrick D. Brophy (2008). Dialysis and pediatric acute kidney injury: choice of renal support modality. Educational review (24, pp.. 37-48).