A 76-year-old patient with acute interstitial nephritis presents with oliguria, altered mental status, and edema to his face, hands, and feet. Of the following, which best describes the pathophysiology behind these clinical findings?

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Acute interstitial nephritis is characterized by acute kidney injury due to inflammation and swelling of the interstitium of the kidney. This leads to decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which results in retention of water, electrolytes, and metabolic waste. Oliguria, altered mental status, and edema to the face, hands, and feet are all clinical findings associated with decreased GFR. Therefore, option C, which describes the decreased GFR resulting in retention of water, electrolytes, and metabolic waste, best explains the observed clinical findings.

A 76-Year-Old Patient with Acute Interstitial Nephritis Presents with Oliguria