The role of nurse in the assessment of a hydration status in dialysis patient

Abstract

Proper assessment of hydration status is difficult, but it is great importance for patients undergoing dialysis, and is an important factor in the survival of patients with chronic and acute renal failure. The degree of fluid overload is defined with clinical symptoms, but these symptoms often appear at strong overhydration or may have other causes. An additional difficulty is the malnutrition, emaciation, overweight patient, and amputation of limbs. In this case, may be useful an analyzer body compositon monitor (BCM), which set out the state of hydration and nourishment of the patient. The objectives of the study were: test the importance of monitoring hydration body status in hemodialysis patients using the analyzer BCM, assessment of hydration status parameters, comparing the amount commissioned drugs used for high blood pressure patients and the analysis of changes in blood pressure after the application of the human body composition analyzer. The research was conducted at the Regional Centre of Nephrology in Szczecinek among 72 people undergoing hemodialysis. BCM measurements were fulfilled in May 2014 and February 2015.