Chapter: Medical Surgical Nursing: Assessment of Renal and Urinary Tract Function
Renal Function Tests
RENAL
FUNCTION TESTS
Renal
function tests are used to evaluate the severity of kidney disease and to
assess the patient’s clinical progress. These tests also provide information on
the effectiveness of the kidney in carry-ing out its excretory function. Renal
function test results may be within normal limits until the GFR is reduced to
less than 50%of normal. Renal function can be assessed most accurately if
sev-eral tests are performed and their results analyzed together. Com-mon tests
of renal function include renal concentration tests, creatinine clearance, and
serum creatinine and blood urea nitro-gen levels. Table 43-4 describes the
purpose and normal ranges for each. Other helpful tests for evaluating renal
function are serum electrolyte levels.
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