Ward Round Notes

Persistent hyperkalaemia (above 7mmol/L) Acidosis - pH less than 7.2 or base excess over 10 refractory pulmonary oedema Uraemic encephalopathy Uraemic pericarditis High catabolic state with progressive renal failure Reference Longmore M, Wilkinson IB, Davidson EH, Foulkes A, Mafi AR, Oxford handbook of clinical medicine, 8th ed. Oxford, Oxford university press, 2010. 

Definition and demographics Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) formerly known as acute renal failure, refers to the deterioration of renal function acutely over hours or days. It is characterised by a rise in plasma urea and creatinine ratios. This may occur without clinical symptoms, however tends to be associated with oliguria (urine output less than 400ml/day or 0.5ml/kg/h). Acute kidney injury is common amongst people admitted to hospital. Causes and risk factors The causes of acute renal failure may be divided into pre-renal, renal and post renal causes.

Demographics: Acute urinary retention is a medical emergency . It is relatively common occurring in 7/1000 men. It is more common in men than women, and incidence is higher in men over 70. Causes: The most common cause of acute urinary retention is benign prostatic hypertrophy. Other causes include: structural changes near the bladder and urethra in men ·       Meatal stenosis ·       Penile constricting bands ·       Phimosis ·       Urethral strictures In women ·       Prolapse ·       Urethral strictures