Introductions Throughout our body we have many major organs and each organ has a major function in our body. The kidneys are one of the main organs of the urinary system. We have 2 reddish-brown, fist-sized, bean-shaped kidneys in our body, located on the anterior side near the lower edge of the ribs on either side of the spinal cord. The main function of your kidneys is to filter the blood to remove waste, help balance water, salt, electrolytes, and form urine. There must be sufficient blood supply for the kidneys to function properly. When your kidneys suddenly shut down and stop working, it's called acute kidney failure. Acute kidney failure is now the leading cause of death in hospitals. Pathophysiology There are three different stages of acute renal failure: prerenal, intrarenal and postrenal. Prerenal failure is the result of an illness or injury that causes obstruction of blood flow to the kidneys, called hypoperfusion. Hypotension, hypervolemia, and insufficient cardiac output are all examples that can cause prerenal failure. According to Lippincott Williams and Wilkins (2009), “prerenal azotemia, excess nitrogen waste in the blood, accounts for 40% to 80% of all cases of acute kidney injury” (p. 307). We speak of intrarenal when there is direct damage to kidney tissue due to inflammation, medications, infections or a reduction in blood supply to the kidney. We speak of post-renal when there is an obstruction of urinary flow. Causes of obstruction may be an enlarged prostate, kidney stones, tumor or bladder injury. There are four phases of acute kidney injury; onset, oliguria, diuresis and recovery. The onset phase can last hours or even days. BUN and creatinine levels can begin to increase... middle of paper ...... if left untreated. Short and Long Term Nursing Goals As a nurse, our goal is to help the patient live their daily life without complications. . During the first six months, as a nurse, I would like to ensure that the patient would have normal fluid and electrolyte levels. I would also like to ensure that the patient's pain will decrease to a tolerated level. I would have the patient consult a dietitian to help develop a diet plan for proper nutrition. And most importantly, I would push fluids to increase urine production to ensure the kidneys are perfused. The goals to be achieved during the six month period would be to maintain homeostasis. I would also advise the patient to attend support groups and hear what others have to say who are suffering or going through the same illness and perhaps they can learn something about how they experienced the daily life..