Chronic Renal Failure Nursing Care and Management: Study Guide (2024)

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Updated on May 10, 2024

By Marianne Belleza, R.N.

Learn about the nursing care management of patients with chronic renal failure in this nursing study guide.

What is Chronic Renal Failure?

When the patient has sustained enough kidney damage to require renal replacement therapy on a permanent basis, the patient has moved into the fifth or final stage of CKD, also referred to as chronic renal failure.

Chronic renal failure(CRF) is the end result of a gradual, progressive loss of kidney function.
Causes include chronic infections (glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis), vascular diseases (hypertension, nephrosclerosis), obstructive processes (renal calculi), collagen diseases (systemic lupus), nephrotoxic agents (drugs, such as aminoglycosides), and endocrine diseases (diabetes, hyperparathyroidism).
This syndrome is generally progressive and produces major changes in all body systems.
The final stage of renal dysfunction, end-stage renal disease (ESRD), is demonstrated by a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 15%–20% of normal or less.
Renal failure results when the kidneys cannot remove the body’s metabolic wastes or perform their regulatory functions.
The substances normally eliminated in the urine accumulate in the body fluids as a result of impaired renal excretion, affecting endocrine and metabolic functions as well as fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base disturbances.
Renal failure is a systemic disease and is a final common pathway of many different kidney and urinary tract diseases.
Accumulation. As renal function declines, the end products of protein metabolism (normally excreted in urine) accumulate in the blood.
Adverse effects. Uremia develops and adversely affects every system in the body.
Progression. The disease tends to progress more rapidly in patients who excrete significant amounts of protein or have elevated blood pressure than those without these conditions

Pathophysiology

There are many diseases that cause chronic renal disease; each has its own pathophysiology. However, there are common mechanisms for disease progression.

Pathologic features include fibrosis, loss of renal cells, and infiltration of renal tissue by monocytes and macrophages.
Proteinuria, hypoxia, and extensive angiotensin II production all contribute to the pathophysiology. In an attempt to maintain GFR, the glomerular hyperfiltration; this results in endothelial injury.
Proteinuria results from increased glomerular permeability and increased capillary pressure.
Hypoxia also contributes to disease progression. Angiotensin II increases glomerular hypertension, which further damages the kidney.

Predisposing Factors

Diabetes, which is the most common risk factor for chronic kidney failure in the United States
Age 60 or older
Kidney disease present at birth (congenital)
Family history of kidney disease
Autoimmune Disorder (Lupus erythematosus)
Bladder outlet obstruction (BPH and Prostatitis)
Race (Sickle cell disease)

Precipitating Factors

Occupational Hazard (overexposure to toxins and to some medications)
Sedentary Lifestyle (hypertension, atherosclerosis)
Diet (High residue diet)

Schematic Diagram

Here’s a schematic diagram or concept map for Chronic Kidney Disease:

Chronic Kidney Disease Pathophysiology and Schematic Diagram (via Scribd)

Clinical Manifestations

Because virtually every body system is affected in ESRD, patients exhibit a number of signs and symptoms.

Complications

Potential complications of chronic renal failure that concern the nurse and necessitate a collaborative approach to care include the following:

Hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia due to decreased excretion, metabolic acidosis, catabolism, and excessive intake (diet, medications, fluids).
Pericarditis. Pericarditis due to retention of uremic waste products and inadequate dialysis.
Hypertension. Hypertension due to sodium and water retention and the malfunction of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.
Anemia. Anemia due to decreased erythropoietin production decreased RBC lifespan, bleeding in the GI tract from irritating toxins and ulcer formation, and blood loss during hemodialysis.
Bone disease. Bone disease and metastatic and vascular calcifications due to retention of phosphorus, low serum calcium levels, abnormal vitamin D metabolism, and elevated aluminum levels.

Assessment and Diagnostic Findings

Laboratory studies required to establish the diagnosis of CRF include:

Glomerular filtration rate. GFR and creatinine clearance decrease while serum creatinine (more sensitive indicator of renal function) and BUN levels increase.
Sodium and water retention. Some patients retain sodium and water, increasing the risk for edema, heart failure, and hypertension.
Acidosis. Metabolic acidosis occurs in ESRD because the kidneys are unable to excrete increased loads of acid.
Anemia. In ESRD, erythropoietin production decreases and profound anemia results, producing fatigue, angina, and shortness of breath.
Urine
- Volume: Usually less than 400 mL/24 hr (oliguria) or urine is absent (anuria).
- Color: Abnormally cloudy urine may be caused by pus, bacteria, fat, colloidal particles, phosphates, or urates. Dirty, brown sediment indicates presence of RBCs, hemoglobin, myoglobin, porphyrins.
- Specific gravity: Less than 1.015 (fixed at 1.010 reflects severe renal damage).
- Osmolality: Less than 350 mOsm/kg is indicative of tubular damage, and urine/serum ratio is often 1:1.
- Creatinine clearance: May be significantly decreased (less than 80 mL/min in early failure; less than 10 mL/min in ESRD).
- Sodium: More than 40 mEq/L because the kidney is not able to reabsorb sodium.
- Protein: High-grade proteinuria (3–4+) strongly indicates glomerular damage when RBCs and casts are also present.
Blood
- BUN/Cr: Elevated, usually in proportion. A creatinine level of 12 mg/dL suggests ESRD. A BUN of >25 mg/dL is indicative of renal damage.
- CBC: Hb decreased because of anemia, usually less than 7–8 g/dL.
- RBCs: Life span decreased because of erythropoietin deficiency, and azotemia.
- ABGs: pH decreased. Metabolic acidosis (less than 7.2) occurs because of the loss of renal ability to excrete hydrogen and ammonia or end products of protein catabolism. Bicarbonate and PCO2 Decreased.
- Serum sodium: May be low (if the kidney “wastes sodium”) or normal (reflecting the dilutional state of hypernatremia).
- Potassium: Elevated related to retention and cellular shifts (acidosis) or tissue release (RBC hemolysis). In ESRD, ECG changes may not occur until potassium is 6.5 mEq or higher. Potassium may also be decreased if the patient is on potassium-wasting diuretics or when the patient is receiving dialysis treatment.
- Magnesium, phosphorus: Elevated.
- Calcium/phosphorus: Decreased.
Proteins (especially albumin): Decreased serum level may reflect protein loss via urine, fluid shifts, decreased intake, or decreased synthesis because of a lack of essential amino acids.
Serum osmolality: Higher than 285 mOsm/kg; often equal to urine.
KUB x-rays: Demonstrates size of kidneys/ureters/bladder and presence of obstruction (stones).
Retrograde pyelogram: Outlines abnormalities of the renal pelvis and ureters.
Renal arteriogram: Assesses renal circulation and identifies extravascularities, and masses.
Voiding cystourethrogram: Shows bladder size, reflux into ureters, and retention.
Renal ultrasound: Determines kidney size and presence of masses, cysts, and obstruction in the upper urinary tract.
Renal biopsy: May be done endoscopically to examine tissue cells for histological diagnosis.
Renal endoscopy, nephroscopy: Done to examine renal pelvis; flush out calculi, and hematuria; and remove selected tumors.
ECG: This may be abnormal, reflecting electrolyte and acid-base imbalances.
X-rays of feet, skull, spinal column, and hands: May reveal demineralization/calcifications resulting from electrolyte shifts associated with CRF.

Medical Management

The goal of management is to maintain kidney function and homeostasis for as long as possible.

Pharmacologic therapy:
- Calcium and phosphorus binders treat hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia;
- Antihypertensive and cardiovascular agents (digoxin and dobutamine) manage hypertension;
- Anti-seizure agents (IV diazepam or phenytoin) are used for seizures, and;
- Erythropoietin (Epogen) is used to treat anemia-associated ESRD.
Nutritional therapy. Dietary intervention includes careful regulation of protein intake, fluid intake to balance fluid losses, sodium intake to balance sodium losses, and some restriction of potassium.
Dialysis. Dialysis is usually initiated if the patient cannot maintain a reasonable lifestyle with conservative treatment.

Nursing Management

The patient with ESRD requires astute nursing care to avoid the complications of reduced renal function and the stresses and anxieties of dealing with a life-threatening illness.

Nursing Assessment

Assessment of a patient with ESRD includes the following:

Assess fluid status (daily weight, intake and output, skin turgor, distention of neck veins, vital signs, and respiratory effort).
Assess nutritional dietary patterns (diet history, food preference, and calorie counts).
Assess nutritional status (weight changes, laboratory values).
Assess understanding of the cause of renal failure, its consequences, and its treatment.
Assess patient’s and family’s responses and reactions to illness and treatment.
Assess for signs of hyperkalemia.

Diagnosis

Based on the assessment data, the following nursing diagnoses for a patient with chronic renal failure were developed:

Excess fluid volume related to decreased urine output, dietary excesses, and retention of sodium and water.
Imbalanced nutrition less than body requirements related to anorexia, nausea, vomiting, dietary restrictions, and altered oral mucous membranes.
Activity intolerance related to fatigue, anemia, retention of waste products, and dialysis procedure.
Risk for situational low self-esteem related to dependency, role changes, changes in body image, and changes in sexual function.

Planning & Goals

Main Article:6 Chronic Renal Failure Nursing Care Plans

The goals for a patient with chronic renal failure include:

Maintenance of ideal body weight without excess fluid.
Maintenance of adequate nutritional intake.
Participation in activity within tolerance.
Improve self-esteem.

Nursing Priorities

Maintain homeostasis.
Prevent complications.
Provide information about disease process/prognosis and treatment needs.
Support adjustment to lifestyle changes.

Nursing Interventions

Nursing care is directed toward the following:

Fluid status. Assess fluid status and identify potential sources of imbalance.
Nutritional intake. Implement a dietary program to ensure proper nutritional intake within the limits of the treatment regimen.
Independence. Promote positive feelings by encouraging increased self-care and greater independence.
Protein. Promote intake of high–biologic–value protein foods: eggs, dairy products, and meats.
Medications. Alter the schedule of medications so that they are not given immediately before meals.
Rest. Encourage alternating activity with rest.

Evaluation

A successful nursing care plan has achieved the following:

Maintained ideal body weight without excess fluid.
Maintained adequate nutritional intake.
Participated in activity within tolerance.
Improved self-esteem.

Discharge and Home Care Guidelines

The nurse should promote home and self-care to increase the esteem of the patient.

Vascular access care. The patient should be taught how to check the vascular access device for patency and appropriate precautions, such as avoiding venipuncture and blood pressure measurements on the arm with the access device.
Problems to report. The patient and the family need to know what problems to report: nausea, vomiting, change in usual urine output, ammonia odor on breath, muscle weakness, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, clotted fistula or graft, and signs of infection.
Follow-up. The importance of follow-up examinations and treatment is stressed to the patient and family because of changing physical status, renal function, and dialysis requirements.
Home care referral. Referral for home care gives the nurse an opportunity to assess the patient’s environment and emotional status and the coping strategies used by the patient and family.

Documentation Guidelines

The documentation of a patient with chronic renal failure should focus on the following:

Existing conditions contribute to and degree of fluid retention.
I&O and fluid balance.
Results of laboratory tests.
Caloric intake.
Individual cultural or religious restrictions and personal preferences.
Level of activity.
Plan of care.
Teaching plan.
Response to interventions, teaching, and actions performed.
Attainment or progress toward desired outcomes.
Modifications to plan of care.
Long-term needs.