Introductions Throughout our body we have many major organs and each organ has an important function in our body. One of the main organs of the urinary system are the kidneys. In our body we have 2 reddish-brown, fist-sized, bean-shaped kidneys located on the front side near the bottom edge of the ribs on either side of the spinal cord. The main function of the kidneys is to filter the blood to remove waste products, help balance water, salt, electrolytes, and form urine. For the kidneys to function properly, there must be an adequate blood supply. When your kidneys suddenly shut down and stop working it is called acute kidney failure. Acute renal failure is the most common death in hospitals today. Pathophysiology There are three different stages of acute renal failure; prerenal, intrarenal and postrenal. Prerenal failure is the result of a disease or injury that causes obstruction of blood flow to the kidneys, called hypoperfusion. Hypotension, hypervolemia, and inadequate cardiac output are all examples that could cause prerenal failure. According to Lippincott Williams and Wilkins (2009), “prerenal azotemia, or excess nitrogenous waste products in the blood, accounts for 40% to 80% of all cases of acute renal failure” (p. 307). It is called intrarenal when there is direct damage to the kidney tissue due to inflammation, drugs, infections or a reduction in blood flow to the kidney. Post-renal is when there is an obstruction to the flow of urine. Causes of obstruction could be an enlarged prostate, kidney stones, bladder cancer, or injury. There are four stages of acute renal failure; onset, oliguria, diuresis and recovery. The onset phase can last hours or up to days. BUN and creatinine levels may begin to increase… midway through the paper… if left untreated. Short/Long Term Nursing Goals As nurses, our goal is to help the patient get through everyday life without complications. Within the first six months, as a nurse, I would like to ensure that the patient has normal fluid and electrolyte levels. I would also make sure the patient's pain decreases to a tolerated level. I would like the patient to consult a dietitian to help him develop a diet plan for adequate nutrition. And most importantly I would push fluids to increase urine output to make sure the kidneys are perfused. The goals to be achieved over the six-month period would be to maintain homeostasis. I would also advise the patient to attend support groups and listen to what others who are going through or are going through the same illness have to say and perhaps they can learn something about how they coped with everyday life..