Preventing and responding to acute kidney injury: how to recognize the incremental changes in kidney function that adversely affect patient outcomes.

Acute kidney injury is an independent risk factor for both prolonged length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality. Recent analysis shows that over the past decade the incidence of acute kidney injury requiring dialysis rose rapidly in the United States, with associated death more than doubling. In 2007, the Acute Kidney Injury Network proposed a new classification system for acute kidney injury, which recognized that incremental changes in kidney function may adversely affect outcomes. By identifying the signs and symptoms of acute kidney injury in its early stages, nurses may be able to help reduce the severity of injury and contribute to improved outcomes.