Utilizing physiological knowledge to care for acute renal failure.

Nursing can play a pivotal role in promoting positive outcomes in patients who are both at risk of, and experiencing, an episode of acute renal failure (ARF). ARF is potentially recoverable to the extent that 94% of survivors have the potential to be dialysis independent. This article highlights the positive impact ward-based nurses can have on this group of patients through the use of a commonly encountered clinical scenario.