The management of acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury is a commonly encountered condition in the hospital setting. Often accurate history-taking, careful physical examination and meticulous monitoring of volume balance are enough to reverse this process. However, acute kidney injury does present a unique set of metabolic derangements that, if untreated, will result in death. We outline the initial management of acute kidney injury as well as specific treatments that may be required. Some consideration is also given to the use of renal replacement therapies.