| Theme | Physical assessment of the dialysis patient -- nurse with the ability for observation | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Physical assessment of the maintenance dialysis patient | |
| Publish Date | 2015/03 | |
| Author | Katsunori Ninoyu | Dialysis Room, Yokkaichi Munincipal Hospital |
| [ Summary ] | Over 160,000 patients have been undergoing dialysis for more than 5 years. Long-term dialysis patients are aging, and the risk of specific complications from dialysis is increasing. Dialysis patients must be observed continuously until hospital discharge. If gait disturbance is noted, patients should be monitored for a cerebrovascular disorder, a lower extremity condition, or blood glucose levels. When observing the dialysis access site it is not only important for the nurse to examine the entire limb, but also to directly palpate the access site vessel. If the patient experiences a drop in blood pressure during dialysis, they should be closely observed for symptoms, such as dizziness when walking or altered consciousness, after completion of the dialysis treatment. |
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