Overview
Introduction
Uremic encephalopathy is a potentially reversible diffuse brain dysfunction caused by severe or rapidly worsening loss of kidney clearance.
Uremic encephalopathy is a potentially reversible diffuse brain dysfunction caused by severe or rapidly worsening loss of kidney clearance. It is not established by a particular urea or creatinine value. Instead, the nurse recognizes a new change in cognition or level of consciousness in a patient with advanced kidney dysfunction, searches for other—and often co-existing—causes, and escalates for kidney replacement therapy when the neurologic syndrome is attributable to uremia. The immediate danger is twofold: untreated uremia can progress to seizures, stupor, and coma, while overly rapid initial haemodialysis can produce dialysis disequilibrium syndrome and cerebral edema. Safe care therefore combines urgent assessment with controlled correction.