A patient is transferred from the Emergency Department (ED) to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). As part of the nursing assessment, it's crucial to understand the components of the cranial cavity that contribute to ICP. What are the components of the cranial cavity?

A. Renal agenesis: failure of an organ (renal) to develop: Renal agenesis is the complete absence of one or both kidneys due to failure of development during fetal life. Bilateral agenesis is often fatal, while unilateral agenesis can be asymptomatic if the remaining kidney functions well.

B. Renal hypoplasia: failure of kidney to develop to normal size and contains fewer renal lobes: In renal hypoplasia, the kidney is structurally normal but smaller than average and contains fewer nephrons or lobes. This congenital condition may be unilateral and asymptomatic or bilateral and lead to renal insufficiency.

C. Renal dysgenesis: failure of an organ (kidney) to develop normally: Renal dysgenesis refers to abnormal development of the kidney structure, resulting in malformations that can impair function. It often involves malformed or nonfunctional renal tissue.

D. Renal dysgenesis: failure of an organ (kidney) to develop: This description better defines renal agenesis rather than dysgenesis, which implies abnormal rather than absent development.

A. Optimizing pain: While pain management is important in any patient care plan, acute kidney injury typically does not cause significant pain unless associated with another condition such as obstruction or infection. It is not a primary focus unless the patient reports discomfort requiring intervention.

B. Protecting from falls: Fall prevention is a general safety measure but is not a specific priority related to AKI management unless the patient has associated risks like altered mental status, weakness, or dialysis-related hypotension. It is not a primary priority in early AKI care planning.

C. Monitoring electrolyte levels: AKI commonly leads to imbalances in potassium, sodium, calcium, and phosphorus due to impaired renal clearance. Hyperkalemia in particular poses serious cardiac risks, making electrolyte monitoring a top priority to prevent complications such as arrhythmias.

D. Assessing fluid balance: AKI affects the kidneys’ ability to excrete or conserve fluid, resulting in potential fluid overload or dehydration. Accurate intake and output tracking, daily weights, and edema assessment are essential to guide treatment and prevent respiratory or cardiovascular compromise.

E. Promoting infection control: Infection is both a potential cause and a complication of AKI, especially in hospitalized or catheterized patients. Maintaining strict aseptic technique, monitoring for signs of infection, and preventing sepsis are critical components of AKI management.