Which lab value would show an increase in chronic kidney disease?

In chronic kidney disease (CKD), the kidneys are not able to function effectively, which leads to an accumulation of waste products in the blood. One of the key waste products that is monitored in renal function is creatinine. As kidney function declines, the excretion of creatinine decreases, resulting in elevated serum creatinine levels. Thus, a high creatinine level is a clear indicator of impaired kidney function and is commonly used as a marker to assess the severity of CKD.

Monitoring creatinine levels is critical in managing patients with CKD because it helps healthcare providers determine the stage of the disease and make informed decisions regarding treatment options. In contrast, other lab values mentioned, such as low chloride, decreased BUN (blood urea nitrogen), and high potassium, are not as directly indicative of chronic kidney disease progression as elevated creatinine levels. High potassium can occur due to reduced renal excretion as CKD progresses, but it is not as consistently used to assess the overall renal function as creatinine is.