Lead poisoning happens when too much lead gets into the body. Lead can enter through the skin, or when a person breathes it in or eats or drinks something contaminated by lead. Lead in the body can hurt the brain, kidneys, and other organs. Show
Who Is at Risk for Lead Poisoning?Lead is toxic to everyone, but children younger than 6 years are at greatest risk for problems from it. Their bodies absorb lead more easily than those of older kids and adults. Children 9 months to 2 years are more likely to have higher lead levels because they crawl around and put their hands and other things in their mouth. Kids are especially at risk if they:
Lead can pass from a mother to her unborn baby. If you are pregnant and think you have been exposed to lead or were exposed in the past, talk to your doctor about getting a blood test to check lead levels. How Do Children Get Lead Poisoning?The most common way that kids get lead poisoning is from lead-based paint in older homes. Lead paint was banned in the United states in the late 1970s. Gasoline also contained lead, which was released into the air in car exhaust. Kids are exposed to lead from chipping paint; house dust; and contaminated soil around older homes, streets, airports, and industrial areas. Kids also can come into contact with lead through:
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Lead Poisoning?Many children with lead poisoning have no symptoms. But even low-level lead exposure can lead to learning and behavior problems, like trouble paying attention. Symptoms of lead poisoning include:
Rarely, very high lead levels can cause confusion, seizures, coma, and death. How Is Lead Poisoning Diagnosed?A simple blood test can diagnose lead poisoning. Doctors recommend checking kids for lead at 1 and 2 years old, when they’re most at risk for high lead levels. Lead testing is also recommended for kids who live in an older home or whose parent has a hobby or job that involves being around lead. Any child who might have been exposed to lead should get tested. How Is Lead Poisoning Treated?The most important part of treatment is preventing more exposure to lead. The doctor will ask about the home to try to identify possible sources of lead. If a child has lead poisoning, all siblings should be tested. Calcium, iron, and vitamin C are important parts of a healthy diet and also help decrease how much lead the body absorbs. The doctor may recommend a multivitamin with iron for a child who doesn’t get enough of these important nutrients in their diet. Kids with high lead levels and symptoms of lead poisoning may need care in a hospital to get a medicine called a chelator (KEE-lay-ter). The chelator helps remove the lead from the body. The effects of lead on development may not show up for years. Doctors will closely follow the development of children with lead exposure at all regular checkups. How Can We Prevent Lead Poisoning?Because there is no safe level for lead, try to protect kids from it. To help prevent lead poisoning:
Learn about the nursing care management of patients with acute renal failure in this nursing study guide. What is Acute Renal Failure?Renal failure results when the kidneys cannot remove the body’s metabolic wastes or perform their regulatory functions.
PathophysiologyAlthough the pathogenesis of ARF and oliguria is not always known, many times there is a specific underlying problem.
Statistics and IncidencesHere’s the statistics and incidences for acute renal failure:
CategoriesAcute renal failure (ARF) has four well-defined stages: onset, oliguric or anuric, diuretic, and convalescent. Treatment depends on stage and severity of renal compromise. ARF can be divided into three major classifications, depending on site: Prerenal
Renal (or intrarenal)
Postrenal
PhasesThere are four phases of ARF: initiation, oliguria, diuresis, and recovery.
CausesThe causes of ARF depend on its categories: prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal.
Clinical ManifestationsAlmost every system of the body is affected by the failure of the normal renal regulatory mechanisms.
PreventionPreventing renal failure involves the following:
ComplicationsDepending on the duration and severity of ARF, a wide range of potentially life-threatening complications can occur.
Assessment and Diagnostic FindingsAssessment and diagnosis of a patient with ARF include evaluation for changes in the urine, diagnostic tests that evaluate the kidney contour, and a variety of normal laboratory values. Urine
Blood
Urine tests
Blood tests
Other tests
Medical ManagementThe objectives of treatment of ARF are to restore normal chemical balance and prevent complications until repair of renal tissue and restoration of renal function can occur.
Nursing ManagementThe nurse has an important role in caring for the patient with ARF. Nursing AssessmentAssessment usually focuses on the characteristics of the urine.
Nursing DiagnosisBased on the assessment data, appropriate nursing diagnoses for a patient with ARF include:
Nursing Care Planning & GoalsMain Article: 6 Acute Renal Failure Nursing Care Plans The goals for a patient with ARF are:
Nursing InterventionsNursing interventions are aimed at restoring renal function and reducing potential causes of increased renal injury.
EvaluationA successful nursing care plan has achieved the following:
Discharge and Home Care GuidelinesThe nurse plays an important role in teaching the patient and family with ARF.
Documentation GuidelinesThe focus of documentation in a patient with ARF include:
Practice Quiz: Acute Renal FailureHere’s a 5-item quiz about the study guide. Please visit our nursing test bank for more NCLEX practice questions. 1. Acute renal failure caused by parenchymal damage to the glomeruli of kidney tubules results in all of the following except: A. Decreased GFR. B. Increased urine specific gravity. C. Impaired electrolyte balance. D.Impaired electrolyte balance. 2. Oliguria is a clinical sign of ARF that refers daily to a urine output of: A. 1.5L B. 1.0L C. Less than 400ml D. Less than 50ml 3. A fall in CO2-combining power and blood pH indicates what state accompanying renal function? A. Metabolic acidosis. B. Metabolic alkalosis. C. Respiratory acidosis. D. Respiratory alkalosis. 4. Hyperkalemia is a serious electrolyte imbalance that occurs in ARF and results from: A. Protein catabolism. B. Electrolyte shifts in response to metabolic acidosis. C. Tissue breakdown. D. All of the above. 5. Potassium intake can be restricted by eliminating high-potassium foods such as: A. Butter. B. Citrus fruits. C. Cooked white rice D. Salad oil. Answers and Rationale 1. Answer: B. Increased urine-specific gravity.
2. Answer: C. Less than 400ml.
3. Answer: C. Respiratory acidosis.
4. Answer: B. Electrolyte shifts in response to metabolic acidosis.
5. Answer: B. Citrus fruits.
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