Acute tubular necrosis: preventing complications.

Any patient who demonstrates a decrease in urinary output, compromise in hemodynamic parameters, or exposure to nephrotoxic agents will be thoroughly assessed by the critical care nurse for signs or symptoms of acute tubular necrosis (ATN). Prompt recognition of the patient who is at risk, and early nursing interventions, can prevent or improve the course of ATN, the most common form of acute renal failure (ARF).