CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

What might a consistently high creatinine level suggest about a patient's kidney health?

1. Severe dehydration

2. Normal kidney function

3. Decreased kidney function

4. Infection in the kidneys

The correct answer is: Decreased kidney function

A consistently high creatinine level is an important indicator of kidney health, specifically suggesting decreased kidney function. Creatinine is a waste product produced from the normal breakdown of muscle tissue, and it is usually filtered out of the blood by the kidneys. When the kidneys are functioning properly, they effectively remove creatinine from the bloodstream, maintaining its levels within a normal range. When creatinine levels are elevated, it signifies that the kidneys may not be filtering waste as effectively as they should, which can occur due to various reasons including damage to the kidney tissues, chronic kidney disease, or an acute reduction in kidney function. This elevated level can serve as a red flag for healthcare providers, prompting them to evaluate the underlying causes of kidney impairment and to assess the overall health of the kidneys. Monitoring creatinine levels is crucial in diagnosing and managing kidney conditions, making it a key parameter in evaluating renal function. Other options, such as severe dehydration, may cause temporary changes in creatinine levels but do not consistently indicate decreased kidney function. Similarly, normal kidney function would typically present with normal creatinine levels, and an infection in the kidneys, while it can influence kidney function, does not directly correlate with an isolated elevation in creatinine without other indicators.