Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: August 19, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Differential Diagnosis for 68-year-old Male with Lethargy, Nausea, and Vomiting

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Acute Renal Failure: The patient's elevated BUN (105 mg/dL) and creatinine (8.4 mg/dL) levels are indicative of renal impairment. The hyperkalemia (K 6.7 mmol/L) further supports this diagnosis, as the kidneys are responsible for potassium excretion. The patient's symptoms of lethargy, nausea, and vomiting can also be associated with uremia, a condition that occurs in renal failure.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Dehydration: The patient's symptoms of nausea and vomiting could lead to dehydration, which in turn can cause a prerenal state leading to acute renal failure. The elevated BUN to creatinine ratio might also suggest dehydration.
  • Electrolyte Imbalance: The patient has hyperkalemia and hyponatremia, which can be due to various causes including renal failure, but also need to be considered as separate entities due to their potential to cause significant morbidity.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Adrenal Insufficiency: Although less likely, adrenal insufficiency can cause hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and renal impairment, mimicking some of the findings in renal failure. It's a critical diagnosis to consider because it requires specific treatment.
  • Severe Hyperglycemia: The patient's glucose level is elevated (203 mg/dL), which could indicate diabetes mellitus or a stress response. Severe hyperglycemia can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis or hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state, both of which are medical emergencies.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Rhabdomyolysis: Although the AST is slightly elevated, which could indicate muscle damage, the lack of significantly elevated muscle enzymes (like CK) makes this diagnosis less likely. However, it's a condition that could lead to renal failure and should be considered if there's a history of trauma or prolonged immobilization.
  • Hemolysis: The bilirubin level is normal, and there's no other clear indication of hemolysis (like elevated LDH or indirect bilirubin), making this diagnosis unlikely. However, in some cases, hemolysis can lead to acute kidney injury, so it should not be entirely dismissed without further investigation.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.