According to Kosinski (2009), acute renal failure is “a sudden decline in both glomerular and tubular function, resulting in the failure of the kidneys to excrete nitrogen and waste products with a corresponding failure to maintain fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balance” (p.4).
ARF may be associated with decreased urinary output of less than 30 ml/h. Prerenal failure may not result in kidney damage with early identification and prompt treatment. The focus of this discussion will be on prerenal caused by the alteration in renal systemic vascular resistance ratio as a result of sepsis.