What symptom might a patient with renal failure experience due to accumulated waste products?

A patient with renal failure can experience itchy skin, also known as pruritus, due to the accumulation of waste products in the bloodstream. When the kidneys are not effectively filtering and excreting toxins, substances like urea and other metabolites build up in the body. This accumulation can irritate the skin and lead to discomfort, prompting the sensation of itchiness.

While fatigue can also be a symptom due to various metabolic imbalances in renal failure, itchy skin is specifically associated with the accumulation of waste products from the kidneys not being able to filter adequately. Weight loss and changes in appetite are also commonly encountered in renal failure, but they are more related to the overall impact on nutrition and health rather than a direct response to accumulated waste products. Thus, the symptom of itchy skin is a more direct manifestation of the effects of toxic buildup associated with renal failure.