Understanding Renal Failure: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Running head: RENAL FAILURE
RENAL FAILURE
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Question 1.1:
The kidneys are defined as bean-shaped organs originate from vertebrates. They are
situated in the retroperitoneal space on the left and right side. The kidneys are 11 centimeters
(4.3 in) in length in adults. They are covered by fibrous connective tissue called renal capsule
(innermost layer) and have two layers of fat which can cushion them and the outermost layer is
renal fascia (Chalmers, 2019). The internal region is separated into three parts such as renal
cortex, medulla and renal pelvis. The nephron is masses of tiny tubules located in the medulla
and receives fluid from the blood vessels situated in the cortex. The erythropoietin is produced
by cortex (Gosling et al., 2016). The bowman capsule is located at the end of nephron of the
cortex which acts as a blood filter. The renal pelvis contains helium, in the concave site where
renal artery, nerves, and vein are enters and ureter leaves. Renal arteries are branched into
abdominal aorta and supply kidney with blood (Chalmers, 2019). The kidney receives blood
from renal arteries and renal veins eliminate blood. It is attached to a ureter that excreted urine to
the bladder which further excrete urines.
Question 1.2:
The case study represents the renal failure of Melanie johnson, a 55 years old lady who
was the mother of 5 kids and lives in a rural Victorian town. Recently she has experienced
increasing tiredness, nausea, and general pruritus. After seeking the help of General practitioner,
she was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure.
Liyanage et al. (2015), define chronic renal failure as a irreversible loss of renal function over
the years which gradually decrease glomerular filtration rate as well creatine level which will

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result in end-stage renal disease. The patient was diagnosed with high blood pressure (190/ 100)
whereas the blood pressure of a healthy individual is 120/80, highlighting is one of the prime
cause of kidney failure. Kidney helps to filter the waste product and extra fluid of the blood
through blood vessels (Hill et al., 2016). However, hypertension cause arteries of the kidneys to
narrow and damage. The damage arteries are not able to deliver enough blood to the kidney
tissues. The patient had palpitation for five years which can a risk of heart condition since
palpitation has resulted in the abnormal sinus rhythm ( changes in the cardiac rate) and heart
failure to the pump the adequate blood which further can induce pressure in the main vein
connected with kidney ( reduced oxygen-rich blood supply) (Xie et al., 2017). Consequently,
renal function declines due to high blood pressure which further reduced glomerular filtration
rate as observed in this case study. The patient had GFR 10ml/min/1.73m2 whereas, for women,
the normal range is 90 to 120mL/min/1.73m2 (Webster et al., 2015). On the other hand, impaired
kidney function is signified by an elevated serum creatinine level since the functional kidney can
clear creatinine from the blood. In this current context, the serum creatinine level was 90 umol/L
whereas, in healthy individuals, the normal range is 45 to 90 mmol/l. when kidney function is
impaired, the kidney failed to eliminate urea from the blood in the form of urine which resulted
in a high level of urea concentration as observed in this case study (Webster et al., 2015). In the
case of a healthy individual, the normal range is 2.5 to 7.1 mmol/l whereas, in the case of the
patient, Serum Urea is 17 mmol/. The impaired kidney simultaneously failed to eliminate
potassium level from the blood as observed in this case study. The blood report highlighted that
Serum Potassium was 5.7 mmol/L whereas, in case of normal individuals, the level is 3.6 to 5.2
mmol/l which further manifested as nausea, tiredness, and pruritus (Young et al., 2015).

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The general complication for these clinical manifestation includes uremia, heart failure,
and hyperkalemia. Uremia can be observed due to the high urea level and hyperkalemia observed
due to the high potassium level. Heart failure can be observed due to hypertension and GRF
(Webster et al., 2015).
The common treatment that can be suggested to the patient involves renal replacement
therapy, transplantation and Vitamin D supplements and treatment of comorbid diseases
(Webster et al., 2015).
Question 1.3:
Factors Acute kidney failure Chronic kidney failure
Cause Any kind of wound,
infection, consumption of
drugs can induce acute
kidney failure (Webster et al.,
2015).
Usually caused by high blood
pressure and diabetes which
damage blood vessels of the
kidney
Reversibility It is usually reversible in
nature
It is not reversible
Functionality of the kidney In case of the acute kidney
failure , the functionality of
the kidney is approximately
In case of chronic kidney
failure , the functionality of
the kidney decreased to 10 to