During the diuretic phase of acute kidney injury, which clinical indicator would a nurse most likely assess?

During the diuretic phase of acute kidney injury, which clinical indicator would a nurse most likely assess?

• A. Skin rash
• B. Dehydration
• C. Hypovolemia
• D. Hyperkalemia

Answer: (B)

In the diuretic phase of acute kidney injury, the kidneys begin producing large volumes of dilute urine, which leads to significant fluid loss. This fluid loss creates dehydration and a risk of hypovolemia if fluids aren’t replenished. Therefore, the clinical indicator a nurse would most likely assess is dehydration, looking for signs like dry mucous membranes, reduced skin turgor, and potential orthostatic changes. Skin rash isn’t typical of this phase, and while potassium imbalances can occur, hyperkalemia is more associated with the earlier oliguria/oligуриc phase (where potassium tends to accumulate); in the diuretic phase potassium loss can actually lead to hypokalemia. Hypovolemia is a consequence of dehydration, but dehydration directly reflects the volume deficit to monitor and manage.

In the diuretic phase of acute kidney injury, the kidneys begin producing large volumes of dilute urine, which leads to significant fluid loss. This fluid loss creates dehydration and a risk of hypovolemia if fluids aren’t replenished. Therefore, the clinical indicator a nurse would most likely assess is dehydration, looking for signs like dry mucous membranes, reduced skin turgor, and potential orthostatic changes. Skin rash isn’t typical of this phase, and while potassium imbalances can occur, hyperkalemia is more associated with the earlier oliguria/oligуриc phase (where potassium tends to accumulate); in the diuretic phase potassium loss can actually lead to hypokalemia. Hypovolemia is a consequence of dehydration, but dehydration directly reflects the volume deficit to monitor and manage.