Which factor is least likely to influence the risk of acute kidney injury after surgery?

Acute kidney injury (AKI) after surgery can be influenced by various factors related to the surgical process and physiological responses to surgery. The correct choice, which is the patient's socioeconomic status, is least likely to have a direct impact on the risk of developing AKI.

Intraoperative blood loss, duration of surgery, and the use of nephrotoxic drugs are all critical factors that are closely associated with the physiological stress of surgery and renal perfusion. Significant blood loss can lead to hypoperfusion of the kidneys, resulting in ischemia and potential injury. Similarly, prolonged surgical duration can increase the risk of hemodynamic instability and impaired kidney function due to extended exposure to physiologic stress and anesthesia effects.

Nephrotoxic drugs, commonly used in perioperative settings (such as certain antibiotics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and some anesthetic agents), can directly damage renal tubular cells, further increasing the risk of AKI.

In contrast, while a patient's socioeconomic status might influence overall health and access to healthcare, it does not have a direct physiological effect on kidney function during the acute perioperative period. Factors leading to AKI are more closely tied to the immediate surgical experience and the management of the patient during and after the