Coordinating Care for Patients With Renal Disorders

Chapter 62: Coordinating Care for Patients With Renal Disorders

Learning Outcomes

  • Epidemiology: Describe the epidemiology of renal disorders.

  • Clinical Manifestations and Pathophysiology: Correlate clinical manifestations to pathophysiological processes of different renal conditions:

    • Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

    • Pyelonephritis

    • Glomerulonephritis (GN)

    • Renal Cancer

    • Renal Trauma

    • Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

    • Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

  • Diagnostic Results: Describe the diagnostic results used to confirm renal disorders.

  • Interprofessional Management: Discuss management protocols for various renal disorders, specifically:

    • Polycystic Kidney Disease

    • Pyelonephritis

    • Glomerulonephritis

    • Renal Cancer

    • Renal Trauma

    • Acute Kidney Injury

    • Chronic Kidney Disease

  • Comparison: Compare and contrast acute and chronic renal failure.

  • Nursing Care Plan: Develop a comprehensive nursing care plan for patients with renal disorders, incorporating pharmacological, dietary, and lifestyle considerations.

  • Renal Replacement Therapies: Describe the indications, management, and complications associated with renal replacement therapies and transplantation.

Concepts Covered

  • Acid-Base Balance

  • Caring

  • Elimination

  • Fluid and Electrolytes

  • Infection

  • Medication

Essential Terms

  • Acute kidney injury (AKI)

  • Arteriovenous (AV) fistula

  • Arteriovenous (AV) graft

  • Chronic kidney disease (CKD)

  • Cold ischemia time

  • Continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRTs)

  • End-stage renal disease (ESRD)

  • Glomerular filtration rate (GFR)

  • Glomeruli

  • Glomerulonephritis

  • Hemodialysis (HD)

  • Nephron

  • Nephrotic syndrome

  • Oliguria

  • Peritoneal dialysis (PD)

  • Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)

  • Renal cancer

  • Renal replacement therapies (RRTs)

  • Renal transplantation

  • Renal trauma

Finding Connections

Case Study: Episode 1 - Doris Flood
  • Patient Description: Doris Flood, 35 years old, presents with

    • Abdominal and left flank pain.

    • Increased frequency and urgency to void.

    • Cloudy urine.

    • Abdominal distention.

  • Vital Signs:

    • Temperature: 101°F (38.3°C)

    • Blood Pressure: 180/100 mm Hg

Introduction

  • Kidney Functions:

    • Removal of waste.

    • Maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance.

    • Regulation of acid-base balance.

  • Renal Compromise:

    • Clinical manifestations vary; prompt treatment essential to prevent acute illness and death.

  • Discussion Focus: Specific disorders affecting the kidneys and renal system.

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)\n### Epidemiology

  • Global Prevalence:

    • Affects 1 in 600,000 individuals in the U.S.

    • 12.5 million globally.

  • Relation to Chronic Renal Disorders:

    • Constitutes 10%-15% of chronic renal disorders.

  • Forms:

    • Childhood PKD: Autosomal-recessive (ARPKD), severe and progressive, leads to ESRD by infancy.

    • Adult PKD: Autosomal-dominant (ADPKD), appears usually between the ages of 30-40, affects both kidneys, equally prevalent among sexes.

Pathophysiology
  • Cysts Formation:

    • Manifest primarily in renal cortex and medulla, thin-walled, fluid-filled, range from millimeters to centimeters.

    • Cysts form via repeated cell divisions (cystogenic process).

    • Size increases lead to renal tissue compression, reducing blood flow and nutrient supply.

Clinical Manifestations
  • Early Stage: Typically asymptomatic.

  • Symptoms: Hypertension, hematuria due to cyst rupture, flank pain, frequent UTIs, and pain attributed to urinary stones.

  • Physical Findings: Enlarged kidneys, abdominal girth, tenderness upon palpation.

  • Progression to ESRD: Common by age 60 for 50% of cases.

Interprofessional Management
  • Diagnosis:

    • Based on history and clinical manifestations.

    • Laboratory tests (urinalysis showing blood/bacteria), imaging (ultrasound, CT).

  • Treatment Goals:

    • Manage UTIs, pain, hypertension.

    • Medications: Pain relief (avoid NSAIDs), antibiotics for infections, ACE inhibitors for hypertension.

  • Complications: Severe hypertension, recurrent UTIs, renal failure, life-threatening aneurysms.

Nursing Management
Assessment & Analysis
  • Manifestations:

    • Hypertension and hematuria

    • Persistent flank pain, headaches.

    • Laboratory findings (CBC, renal function tests).

Nursing Diagnoses/Problem List
  • Excess fluid volume due to renal dysfunction.

  • Risk for infection due to altered urinary elimination.

  • Ineffective management related to knowledge deficit about the disease.

Interventions
  • Actions:

    • Vital sign monitoring (BP, temp)

    • Administer medications as ordered (antibiotics, antihypertensives).

    • Encourage lifestyle modifications (diet, fluid balance).

    • Education for the patient on disease and treatment adherence.

Pyelonephritis

Epidemiology
  • Commonality:

    • Incidence in females: 12-13 cases per 10,000, males: 2-3 cases.

    • Most prevalent in young females; infants and elderly also at heightened risk.

  • Risk Factors:

    • Multiple or recurring UTIs, anatomical variations, hormonal changes (pregnancy).

Pathophysiology
  • Inflammation: Inflammatory process occurs due to bacterial infections, primarily E. coli.

Clinical Manifestations
  • Symptoms: Fever, chills, back/flank pain, dysuria, hematuria.

Diagnosis
  • Method:

    • History, physical examination, lab studies (urinalysis, CBC).

Interprofessional Management
  • Treatment: IV antibiotics for severe cases, oral antibiotics for mild cases, supportive hydration, monitoring for complications.

Glomerulonephritis

Epidemiology
  • Third leading cause of renal failure; caused by autoimmune disorders or infections.

Pathophysiology
  • Mechanism: Overall decrease in GFR, increased permeability.

Clinical Manifestations
  • Symptoms include edema, hypertension, hematuria.

Diagnosis & Treatment
  • Diagnostic tests focus on urine analysis and imaging to assess kidney function and identify underlying conditions.

Renal Cancer

Epidemiology
  • 63,000 new cases in the U.S. annually. Higher incidence in males, especially those aged 50-70.

Pathophysiology
  • Tumors may compromise renal function through compression.

Clinical Manifestations
  • Symptoms include hematuria, flank pain, mass or weight loss.

Diagnosis & Treatment
  • Multiple methods such as ultrasound and CT scans; often involves surgical intervention.

Renal Trauma

Epidemiology
  • High incidence in young males, often from blunt trauma or accidents.

Pathophysiology
  • Injury gradation: from contusion to laceration or complete renal failure.

Clinical Manifestations
  • Symptoms including gross hematuria, flank pain.

Management
  • Diagnosis through imaging; treatment focused on stabilization and possible surgery.

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)

Epidemiology
  • Increasing incidence, particularly among hospital patients.

Pathophysiology
  • Rapid accumulation of nitrogenous wastes; classified into prerenal, intrarenal, postrenal causes.

Management
  • Identification and treatment of underlying causes; may involve dialysis for severe cases.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Epidemiology
  • Affects millions globally, risk factors include diabetes and hypertension.

Pathophysiology
  • Gradually loss of function leading to ESRD.

Management
  • Focus on prevention of complications, renal replacement therapies, and treatment of symptoms.

Renal Replacement Therapies

Overview
  • Techniques include hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement therapies, and peritoneal dialysis.

Indications for Dialysis
  • Severe electrolyte imbalances, GFR <10 mL/min, significant clinical manifestations.

Complications
  • Monitor for infections, thrombosis, and electrolyte imbalances.

Conclusion

  • Effective coordination of care for patients with renal disorders is crucial. Attention to epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostics, and appropriate management strategies can significantly improve patient outcomes.