TCRN Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Prep for Your Test

A significant elevation in serum BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) and creatinine levels in a traumatically injured patient typically indicates impaired renal function. This impairment can occur due to several factors, one of which includes overfeeding, particularly with excessive protein intake. When a patient is overfed, especially in the acute setting of trauma, the kidneys may struggle to excrete the by-products of protein metabolism, leading to elevated levels of BUN and creatinine.

In the context of trauma, whether due to direct injury, stress response, or altered hemodynamics, the kidneys can become compromised. Overfeeding can exacerbate this situation by increasing the workload on the kidneys and potentially leading to acute kidney injury.

Other options do not accurately reflect the physiological implications of elevated BUN and creatinine. Underfeeding would generally lead to different metabolic responses, and normal recovery processes would not result in such significant elevations in these markers. Fluid overload might elevate BUN due to dilutional effects but would not necessarily increase creatinine in the absence of kidney dysfunction. Thus, the correct interpretation in this context is that significant elevations are indeed suggestive of overfeeding and its consequences on renal function.