DaVita ICHD Clinical Training Practice Test - Prep & Study Guide

Uremia is primarily caused by the accumulation of waste products in the blood due to kidney failure. When the kidneys are functioning properly, they filter out waste products and excess fluids from the bloodstream, which are then excreted in urine. However, in cases of kidney failure, the kidneys lose their ability to effectively filter these waste products. As a result, substances such as urea, creatinine, and other metabolites build up in the blood, leading to the toxic condition known as uremia. This condition can cause a range of symptoms including fatigue, nausea, and confusion, and must be addressed to prevent serious complications.

The other choices do not directly cause uremia. Excess hydration, while potentially leading to complications in kidney patients, does not directly relate to the accumulation of waste products. Inadequate dietary intake may affect nutritional status but is not a primary cause of uremia. Chronic high blood pressure can damage the kidneys over time, but it is the resultant kidney failure that leads to the uremic state, making kidney function loss the core problem.