Critical Care Of A Renal Patient

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The article from the Nephrol Dial Transplant Journal is a representation of the works of Jeremy B. Levy, E. Joanna Chambers, and Edwina A. Brown in regards to supportive care for the renal patient. The article is keen to point out that end-stage renal disease is rampantly occurring worldwide, thus, calling out for relevant measures to curtail the problem. The article also records that patients suffering from kidney problems do undergo dialysis, which is a life prolonging process and not a life-supporting plan. Indeed, dialysis is used as a means of extending one’s life whilst suffering from kidney problems but ignores the fact that one is suffering on the side. Facing renal failure is one of the problems the article points out as a problem kidney patients are suffering from, despite their participation in dialysis (Levy, Chambers, and Brown, 2004).

Patients suffering from end-stage renal disease, otherwise referred to as ESRD, are supposed to be placed under supportive care. In addition, the article names pruritus, neuropathy, fatigue, cramps, and constipation as some of the symptoms one may possess when suffering from ESRD. Pain is a symptom that highly occurs among patients with ESRD and its cure is well elaborated in the article. Appropriate drug dosage is the most appropriate means of reducing the pain faced by renal failure patients. Administering paracetamol, adjuvants, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent forms the initial step to undertake in reducing the occurrence of pain in patients suffering from ESRD. Dosing a patient with codeine and tramadol forms the second step to undertake when dealing with renal failure. Oxycodone, morphine, and buprenorphine are utilized in stage three, but this is in case the pain is too severe for the patient to persevere (Levy, Chambers, and Brown, 2004).

Interacting with patients suffering from renal failure is important as it helps them comprehend the treatment they are about to receive. Therefore, it is the senior nurses’ duty to take the initiative and make crystal explanations about the treatment following renal failure. In turn, this prepares patients psychologically.

Reference

Levy, B. J., Chambers, J. E. and Brown, E. A., (2004). Supportive care for the renal patient. Nephrol Dial Transplant, 19, 1357-1360. Retrieved from >http://ndt.oxfordjournals.org/content/19/6/1357.extract<