Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

A 77-year-old man with hypertension, anuria, and generalized edema is most likely experiencing what condition?

1. Acute gastritis

2. Acute renal failure

3. Heart failure

4. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The correct answer is: Acute renal failure

The scenario presented describes a patient who is 77 years old and shows signs of hypertension, anuria (the absence of urine production), and generalized edema (swelling due to fluid accumulation). These symptoms strongly suggest that the patient is experiencing acute renal failure. Acute renal failure, or acute kidney injury, occurs when the kidneys suddenly become unable to filter waste products from the blood. This leads to a buildup of toxins and can result in symptoms such as anuria and generalized edema due to fluid retention. People with underlying conditions, such as hypertension, are at a higher risk for developing renal complications. In this case, the presence of hypertension indicates that the patient's cardiovascular system may already be under strain, which can exacerbate renal function deterioration. The combination of anuria and the swelling from edema aligns closely with what is seen in acute kidney failure, where the kidneys are unable to excrete fluids, leading to excess fluid retention and swelling in the body. Other conditions mentioned in the options, while potentially relevant in other patient scenarios, do not specifically match all symptoms shown here. For instance, acute gastritis is more associated with gastrointestinal symptoms rather than fluid retention and anuria. Heart failure could also lead to edema, but it commonly presents with additional symptoms such as