Which diagnostic lab finding would you NOT expect to see increased in a patient with renal disease?

In a patient with renal disease, one would expect a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), not an increase. GFR is a measure of how well the kidneys are filtering blood, and in renal disease, the capacity of the kidneys to filter becomes compromised. Consequently, as renal function declines due to disease, the GFR value drops, indicating poorer kidney function.

Conversely, other lab findings associated with renal disease, such as creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and various electrolytes, typically show elevated levels. Creatinine levels rise because this waste product accumulates in the blood when kidney function is impaired. BUN also tends to increase since it reflects the amount of nitrogen in the blood from urea, which the kidneys are failing to excrete adequately.

Electrolyte imbalances can occur in renal disease as the kidneys are responsible for maintaining the balance of electrolytes in the body. In many cases, conditions like hyperkalemia (elevated potassium) or hyponatremia (low sodium) can be observed. Therefore, while other lab findings can significantly increase, GFR is specifically a diagnostic marker expected to decline in the context of renal dysfunction.