
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions β written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Acute tubular necrosis physical examination
Introduction
Overview
Overview
On physical examination, patients with acute tubular necrosis may show the findings of volume depletion. They usually appear ill, dehydrated, and lethargic. Common physical examination findings of acute tubular necrosis include orthostatic hypotension and other signs of hypovolemia (dryΒ mucous membranes, sunken eyes, poor skin turgor andΒ delayed capillary refill, and decreased jugular venous pressure).
Physical Examination[1][2]
Appearance of the Patient
- Patients with acute tubular necrosis may appear ill, dehydrated, or lethargic depending on the severity of renal hypoperfusion and damage.
Vital Signs
Skin
Skin examination of patients with acute tubular necrosis may show following findings:
- Diminished skin turgor
- Dry mucous membranes
- Delayed capillary refill
HEENT
Lungs
- Pulmonary examination of patients with acute tubular necrosis is usually normal. Bilateral crackles may be found on auscultation due to pulmonary edema.
- Tachypnea may be caused by metabolic acidosis as a result of severe volume depletion.
Heart
Abdomen
Abdominal examination of patients with acute tubular necrosis may show following findings:
Neuromuscular
- Muscle weakness and convulsions because of moderate to severe electrolyte imbalance.
- Changes in sensorium
- Muscle tenderness
Extremities
References
References
- β Anderson RJ, Barry DW (March 2004). “Clinical and laboratory diagnosis of acute renal failure”. Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol. 18 (1): 1β20. PMIDΒ 14760871.
- β Himmelfarb J, Joannidis M, Molitoris B, Schietz M, Okusa MD, Warnock D, Laghi F, Goldstein SL, Prielipp R, Parikh CR, Pannu N, Lobo SM, Shah S, D’Intini V, Kellum JA (July 2008). “Evaluation and initial management of acute kidney injury”. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 3 (4): 962β7. doi:10.2215/CJN.04971107. PMCΒ 2440262. PMIDΒ 18354074.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Chandrakala Yannam, MD [2]
