Acute Kidney Failure Acute kidney failure is the inability of the kidneys to function properly. When acute kidney failure occurs, the kidneys lose the ability to remove waste and the ability to balance fluids and electrolytes. Functional and structural changes, otherwise known as pathophysiological changes, associated with acute renal failure (ARF) involve changes in renal hemodynamics, nephron function, and cellular metabolism. ARF can lead to symptoms such as the sudden loss of the kidneys' ability to excrete waste, concentrate urine, conserve electrolytes, and maintain fluid balance. Interactions of tubular and vascular events cause ARF, and the main cause of ARF is ischemia, which is limited blood supply to the tissues. This drop in renal blood flow causes kidney cells to die. The three phases of acute renal failure are prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal. The most common type of ARF is prerenal acute renal failure and accounts for approximately 55% of all ARF cases. Prerenal AKI is caused by a complication of any condition, drug, or disease that causes a rapid decrease in blood flow to the kidneys, which in turn causes a loss of kidney function. In prerenal ARF the kidneys are usually fully functional before the reduction in blood flow. Prerenal AKI can be caused by major cardiac or abdominal surgery, a serious infection (sepsis), or an injury; medicines that interfere with the blood supply to the kidneys, such as ACE inhibitors and NSAIDs; severe dehydration caused by excessive fluid loss; severe burns; pancreatitis and liver disease that create fluid shifts in the abdomen (Hudson 2003). Timely correction of the underlying problem causes the kidneys to return to full normal function... middle of paper... PH. (2013). Uremia. Retrieved from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/245296-overviewHudson, K. RN MSN CCRN, (2003). Acute renal failure - 3 nursing CEs. Retrieved from http://dynamicnursingeducation.com/class.php?class_id=131&pid=18Miller, S.M.D. (2011). Kidney transplant. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003005.htmSchiffl, H.M.D., Lang, S.M.D., & Fischer, R.M.D. (2002). Daily hemodialysis and outcomes of acute renal failure. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/223941278/F1C1DFAB03144970PQ/6?accountid=37862Tiu, ADO, (2011). Kidney disease. Retrieved from http://hab.hrsa.gov/deliverhivaidscare/clinicalguide11/cg-605_renal_disease.html#S3XTruven Health Analytics Inc. (2013). Diet for kidney failure. Retrieved from http://www.drugs.com/cg/renal-failure-diet.html