What is a potential consequence of untreated rhabdomyolysis?

What is a potential consequence of untreated rhabdomyolysis?

• A. It causes liver failure.
• B. It indcues hyperglycemia.
• C. It improves renal function.
• D. It can lead to kidney damage.

Answer: (D)

Rhabdomyolysis releases myoglobin from damaged muscle into the bloodstream, and this myoglobin can travel to the kidneys. In the kidneys, high levels of myoglobin can be directly toxic to the tubular cells and can form casts that block the tubules, especially when urine is acidic or the patient is dehydrated. This combination reduces kidney perfusion and filtration, leading to acute kidney injury if the condition isn’t treated promptly. That’s why kidney damage is the potential consequence of untreated rhabdomyolysis. The other options don’t reflect the typical direct outcome: rhabdomyolysis doesn’t commonly cause liver failure, hyperglycemia isn’t a direct consequence, and renal function typically deteriorates rather than improves without intervention.

Rhabdomyolysis releases myoglobin from damaged muscle into the bloodstream, and this myoglobin can travel to the kidneys. In the kidneys, high levels of myoglobin can be directly toxic to the tubular cells and can form casts that block the tubules, especially when urine is acidic or the patient is dehydrated. This combination reduces kidney perfusion and filtration, leading to acute kidney injury if the condition isn’t treated promptly. That’s why kidney damage is the potential consequence of untreated rhabdomyolysis. The other options don’t reflect the typical direct outcome: rhabdomyolysis doesn’t commonly cause liver failure, hyperglycemia isn’t a direct consequence, and renal function typically deteriorates rather than improves without intervention.