MEDizzy - Which change would you expect to find in a patient who

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The Body Fluids & Kidney (II)

Which change would you expect to find in a patient who developed acute renal failure after ingesting poisonous mushrooms that caused renal tubular necrosis?

ExplanationAcute renal failure caused by tubular necrosis would cause the rapid development of metabolic acidosis due to the kidneys’ failure to rid the body of the acid waste products of metabolism. The metabolic acidosis would lead to decreased plasma HCO3− concentration. Acute renal failure would also lead to a rapid increase in blood urea nitrogen concentration and a significant increase in plasma potassium concentration due to the kidneys’ failure to excrete electrolytes or nitrogenous waste products. Necrosis of the renal epithelial cells causes them to slough away from the basement membrane and plug up the renal tubules, thereby increasing hydrostatic pressure in Bowman’s capsule and decreasing GFR.