Blood Urea Nitrogen or BUN level is often treated like an inconsequential, under-the-radar lab in a Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP) , yet this small-fry can hide some good clues in the right context. This quiz attempts to elevate the significance of humble little BUN and hope to make it more useful to you ! Here goes :
Results
#1. Which of these medications can increase BUN ?
Prednisone increases protein breakdown (catabolic effect) which results in higher urea (BUN) production by the Liver
#2. What condition raises BUN levels
GI bleed, especially upper, can raise BUN levels from the protein breakdown of digested blood & from the hypovolemia secondary to bleed causing reduced GFR
#3. You notice patient’s BUN is very low ! What condition could do so ?
Liver produces Urea (BUN) , so a damaged liver in cirrhosis would result in lower BUN levels
#4. Which lab is the single most useful predictor of severity & mortality in acute pancreatitis
Of course answer was BUN 🤣. Various studies show that elevated BUN > 25 to 35 at admission can indicate higher severity of acute pancreatitis and worsening of BUN 24-hours post-admission in such patients can indicate higher risk of mortality
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