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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffIf your signs and symptoms suggest you may have acute kidney failure, your doctor may recommend tests and procedures to verify your diagnosis. Tests and procedures may include:
- Urine output measurements. The amount of urine you excrete in one day may help your doctor determine the cause of your kidney failure.
- Urine tests. Analyzing a sample of your urine, a procedure called urinalysis, may reveal abnormalities that suggest kidney failure.
- Blood tests. A sample of your blood may reveal rapidly rising levels of urea and creatinine — two substances used to measure kidney function.
- Imaging tests. Imaging tests such as ultrasound and computerized tomography (CT) may be used to help your doctor see your kidneys.
- Removing a sample of kidney tissue for testing. In certain situations, your doctor may recommend a kidney biopsy to remove a small sample of kidney tissue for laboratory testing. To remove a sample of kidney tissue, your doctor may insert a thin needle through your skin and into your kidney.
References
- Molitoris BA. Acute kidney injury. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/192064788-4/0/1492/0.html. Accessed March 30, 2010.
- Schroeder K. Acute renal failure. In: Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=aboutPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..C2009-0-38983-7--TOP&isbn=978-1-4160-6642-2&uniq=192064788. Accessed March 30, 2010.
- Ferri FF. Renal failure, acute. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/192064788-4/0/2088/0.html. Accessed March 30, 2010.
- Wolfson AB. Renal failure. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=aboutPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..X0001-1--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&uniq=193452254. Accessed March 30, 2010.
- Acute kidney injury nutrition therapy. ADA Nutrition Care Manual. http://nutritioncaremanual.org/vault/editor/Docs/Acute%20Kidney%20Nutrition%20Therapy_FINAL.pdf. Accessed April 8, 2010.
- Reclast (zoledronic acid): Drug Safety Communication – New contraindication and updated warning on kidney impairment. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm270199.htm. Accessed Sept. 1, 2011.
- Reclast (prescribing information). East Hanover, N.J.: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.; 2011. http://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/product/pi/pdf/reclast.pdf. Accessed Sept. 14, 2011.
- Zometa (prescribing information). East Hanover, N.J.: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp.; 2011. http://www.pharma.us.novartis.com/product/pi/pdf/Zometa.pdf. Accessed Sept. 22, 2011.
- Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 19, 2011.
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