minutes before the imaging study to protect against contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). Because of the frequency of nausea and vomiting associated with use of N-acetylcysteine, a nurse practitioner in the department suggests that the patient be given an infusion of sodium bicarbonate 150 mEq/L at a rate of 3.5 mL/kg per hour for 1 hour before the CT scan. A hospitalist who is with another patient overhears the discussion and adds that some evidence suggests that hydration with physiological saline at 1 mL/kg per hour may suffice.What is CIN and what is the best course of action for this patient? In this article, I describe CIN; the patients at risk for this abnormality; and the etiology, pathophysiology, preventive interventions, and treatments for this iatrogenic complication of imaging with contrast material.
BackgroundCIN is a disorder characterized by the onset of acute renal failure within 24 to 72 hours after the administration of iodinated contrast medium. Contrast-induced nephropathy is an iatrogenic disease caused by the administration of iodinated contrast material to certain at-risk patients. The clinical features include renal failure, with oliguria, anuria, and electrolyte derangements. Contrastinduced nephropathy can prolong hospitalization, result in greater morbidity and mortality, and increase patients' costs. A variety of preventive and treatment strategies exist, including use of alternative imaging. Critical care nurses need to understand the nephropathy and the patients at risk and to develop a familiarity with prevention, treatment, and outcome. (Critical Care Nurse. 2012;32[6]:15-24) This article has been designated for CNE credit. A closed-book, multiple-choice examination follows this article, which tests your knowledge of the following objectives:1. State the pathophysiology of contrast-induced nephropathy 2. Identify patients at risk for developing contrast-induced nephropathy 3. State preventive therapies useful in high-risk patients
CNEContinuing Nursing EducationA 62-year-old woman with a history of congestive heart failure and type 2 diabetes mellitus comes to the emergency department because she has had pain in the left lower quadrant of her abdomen and fever for 3 days.by AACN on May 9, 2018 http://ccn.aacnjournals.org/ Downloaded from typically asymptomatic, although a few patients experience renal dysfunction and may require dialysis. Despite its typically mild manifestations, CIN is associated with increases in hospital stays, [4][5][6] in-hospital mortality, 7,8 and 1-year mortality. 4,5,7 Lengths of stay can be twice as long as the stays of patients without CIN, 4,6 and both inpatient and 30-day mortality can be as much as 10-fold greater. 4,6,8 Several populations of patients are at risk, including patients with preexisting renal disease, congestive heart failure, and diabetes mellitus. Several treatment regimens are available to protect the kidneys during administration of contrast material.
Contrast MediaContrast media are used in a wide array of medical imaging, inclu...