A nurse is caring for a client with acute kidney injury. Which laboratory values would the nurse expect to be elevated?

In ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY (AKI) or kidney failure, the kidneys can't filter waste, so BUN (blood urea nitrogen) and CREATININE rise (azotemia) — these are the primary markers of decreased kidney function. NCLEX physiological/renal. CREATININE is the more specific indicator of kidney function. OTHER changes in kidney failure: HYPERKALEMIA (potassium retained — dangerous), metabolic acidosis, fluid overload, elevated phosphate, low calcium, and anemia (reduced erythropoietin). MONITOR: urine output (oliguria <400 mL/day or anuria), daily weights, electrolytes (especially potassium), fluid balance. Knowing that BUN and creatinine rise in kidney failure (and the associated hyperkalemia risk) is a heavily tested NCLEX renal concept.