The nurse would expect to assess which finding in the patient with type I hepatorenal syndrome?

Question

A) Previous diagnosis of renal disease
B) Recent ingestion of a nephrotoxic drug
C) Ascites
D) Serum creatinine level of 1.5 mg/dL

Answer 1

C) Ascites

Explanation: A) In the clinical presentation of hepatorenal syndrome, serum creatinine is elevated without other evidence of underlying renal disease, shock, or nephrotoxic drugs.
B) In the clinical presentation of hepatorenal syndrome, serum creatinine is elevated without other evidence of underlying renal disease, shock, or nephrotoxic drugs.
C) Hepatorenal syndrome, which is defined as functional renal failure, develops as a result of portal hypertension and the associated systemic circulatory changes. It develops almost exclusively in patients with ascites.
D) Type 1 hepatorenal syndrome develops as a result of the significant reduction of circulating volume associated with excessive splanchnic arterial vasodilation and decreased cardiac output. It is a rapidly progressing condition in which the serum creatinine level increases over 2.5 mg/dL within 2 weeks.