Chronic Renal Failure and Dialysis – Essay Example

Chronic Renal Failure and Dialysis – Essay Example

Chronic Renal Failure Chronic Renal Failure and Dialysis Dialysis is carried out as critical life support in patients suffering from kidney failure. It is a mechanical way of cleansing the blood as well as chemicals and balance body fluids when the kidneys are not in a position to carry out important functions (Himmelfarb & Sayegh, 2010). An access to the vascular system is required to carry out the blood-cleansing function of the kidneys through dialysis. A graft is usually the access of choice when a patient needing dialysis has small veins.
Several health care providers are needed in the care of a patient undergoing insertion of a dialysis graft (Daugirdas, 2011). A surgeon is needed to create the access using a synthetic tube that is implanted in the arm under the skin. A laboratory technician is also of importance in the care of such a patient to carry out blood tests so as to ensure the dialysis prescription is most favorable. Moreover, a nephrologist is needed to offer health education to the patient concerning care of the access, side effects of dialysis, and dietary modifications (Daugirdas, 2011). Chronic Renal Failure and Dialysis – Essay Example.
History and Physical Examination of a Patient with Chronic Renal Failure
Patients with chronic kidney disease are frequently asymptomatic but they can have history of passing no or small urine amounts, nausea and vomiting, shortness of breath, persistent fatigue, and loss of appetite (Himmelfarb & Sayegh, 2010). On physical examination, the key findings may include; swelling especially of the ankles, facial puffiness, anemia, pruritus, dry skin, loss of lean body mass, and muscle weakness. The above elements should be communicated to all health providers managing such a patient for effective care. In addition, kidney function tests should be carried out to check on how the kidneys are functioning and the effectiveness of the dialysis.

ORDER A PLAGIARISM -FREE PAPER NOW

References
Daugirdas, J. T. (2011). Handbook of chronic kidney disease management. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Health.
Himmelfarb, J., & Sayegh, M. H. (2010). Chronic kidney disease, dialysis, and transplantation: Companion to Brenner & Rectors the kidney. Philadelphia: Saunders

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide problem that is currently three times higher for African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, American Indians and seniors (The National Kidney Foundation, 2013). CKD occurs when the kidneys are damaged by a pathogen or injury and they can no longer adequately maintain proper levels of regulated chemicals in the bloodstream. There are many risk associated with CKD. According to the National Kidney Foundation, two of the major risks are Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) and Cardiovascular Disease. Currently twenty million American adults have CKD and millions of others are at increased risk. Age has no barrier on getting CKD. People with pre-existing health issues, and a part of certain population
Injury to the glomerulus and the tubules presents the onset of Intra-renal failure (Matzke, 2011). Chronic Renal Failure and Dialysis – Essay Example. Some of the frequent causes for Intra-renal failure are glomerulonephritis; pyelonephritis; and tubular injury. Post-renal failure develops from things like ureteroliths, tumors, or anatomic impediments. Opposite of the acute form, the chronic form has a slow onset that has no early stage symptoms. It is important to know that following an acute episode a chronic renal episode often follows, and at this juncture the damage is irreversible. Glomerulonephritis and pyelonephritis combined, has been reported to be the forerunner in as much as half the cases from acute to chronic renal failure. Diabetes mellitus, renal vascular disease, such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, polycystic kidney disease, drug damage, and nephrolith are all examples of other causes of CKD (Pradeep, 2014). Biopsies of kidneys that suffered with CKD reveal smaller kidneys with scarring on the tubules. Causes of kidney disease are wide-ranging in number; however diabetes, high blood pressure, inherited disease, and infection remain to be the contenders of cause (Davidson, 2011). Acute kidney disease can be identified by anuria and oedema. CKD is often called a “silent” killer, because instead of a sign, that would render immediate evidence, CKD only provides symptoms that many don’t know to correlate to renal issues. The symptoms may also increase at the latter stages of the. Chronic Renal Failure and Dialysis – Essay Example.