Lab trends that matter in acute kidney injury

AKI is often a pattern recognition problem: rising creatinine with or without oliguria, contextualized by meds, perfusion, and obstruction risk.

Quick checks

Compare baseline to current, look at potassium and acid–base status, and tie interventions to the underlying mechanism (prerenal, intrarenal, postrenal) when the stem provides clues.

On exams, prioritize life threats (hyperkalemia, pulmonary edema) and therapies that match the scenario data.