Akin, S., Mendi, B., Ozturk, B., Cinper, C., & Durna, Z. (2012). Assessment of relationship between self-care and fatigue and loneliness in haemodialysis patients. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 23(5-6), 856–864.
The authors of this work establish the relationship between levels of fatigue, loneliness and self-care among Turkish patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Hemodialysis plays a significant role in improving the quality of life in patients with end-stage renal disease. However, these patients encounter challenges during the procedure. These challenges include bodily changes, reliance on the HD machine as well as emotive problems such as apprehension and nervousness. The procedure also interferes with their societal roles and duties.
The study uses 325 patients above 18 years who are undergoing hemodialysis and are willing to participate in the study. The researchers obtain the required information from the patients using previously developed tools for assessing fatigue, loneliness and self-care. The findings of the forms are then analyzed statistically.
The study establishes that the degree of exhaustion in patients undergoing hemodialysis is elevated, whereas the capacity to provide self-care is diminished. The extent of loneliness, on the other hand, is moderate. The association evaluation reveals that the capacity to provide self-care reduces as the degree of exhaustion and solitude increase. In addition, it is established that an increase in the age of the patients translates to an increase in the extent of loneliness and a diminished ability to provide self-care.
This article provides useful information on improving the value of life of patients in the final stages of kidney disease. It emphasizes the need for nurse practitioners to provide patients undergoing hemodialysis with physical, social and emotive assistance. In addition, the nurses ought to work together with the patients’ families to deal with exhaustion and loneliness to improve the patients’ ability to provide self-care.
Kara, B. (2009). Herbal product use in a sample of Turkish patients undergoing hemodialysis. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 18(15), 2197–2205.
The author assesses the impact of herbal regimens in improving the outcomes of patients with end-stage renal disease who are undergoing hemodialysis. The fact that herbal remedies are popular among various communities, but there is insufficient evidence regarding their effectiveness in patients with kidney problems is what prompts the investigation. In addition, nurses are not conversant with herbal remedies used by their patients and their effects on the overall state of the disease in terms of morbidity and mortality. The researcher obtains information from 114 patients aged 18 years and above who are undergoing hemodialysis (HD) at two HD centers in Ankara, Turkey. Patients with psychiatric disorders are left out of the investigation. A self-created form is used to obtain information regarding the use of herbal regimens during interviews. In the study, herbal use is regarded as the specific usage of herbal commodities to improve the outcomes of the disease rather than for food.
It is established that some of the patients (especially the married ones) use herbal regimens to manage their condition following the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease. There is no association between age, sex, extent of education, state of employment, income, apparent health status and comorbidity and the use of herbal remedies. It is also established that herbal use among the patients is intended to prevent and treat health complications such as hypertension, constipation, high blood sugar levels and renal complications.
This study provides useful information on the use of herbal treatments in managing kidney disease. An understanding of these patterns is beneficial in helping nurses provide appropriate patient education on the benefits and potential health risks caused by the use of herbal remedies.
Lewis, L. M. (2011). Medication adherence and spiritual perspectives among African American older women with hypertension. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 37(6), 34-41.
The author in the above study intends to explore the impact of religion on the devotion to hypertensive medication among African-American women. The author interviews a group of 21 women belonging to a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) situated in a Northeastern metropolitan region. The average age of the women is 73.7 years, and the majority of them have a high school education. All the subjects are diagnosed with hypertension and are currently taking at least one hypertension medication. The interview sessions last between 45 minutes and one hour, and are recorded on audiotapes. The participants are required to provide simple yes and no responses to the questions. Thereafter, the interview outcomes are transcribed word for word and evaluated by content analysis.
It is established that the patients have been living with hypertension for an average duration of 16.7 years. Five major religious themes that guide the treatment regimen of the women are evident. It is clear that the participants find solace in religion and believe that God provides them with strength to take their medications and cope with hypertension. They also believe that God confers help to individuals who take active roles in doing what is expected of them. Overall, it is established that religion has a positive influence on the adherence to antihypertensive medications.
This article provides an insight in the influence of religion on blood pressure outcomes in patients. Therefore, it is useful when assessing factors that affect the efficacy of blood pressure regimens. The article also highlights the role of patient support from health care providers and family in improving the adherence to hypertension medication. The article finds relevance in guiding the provision of hypertensive care by nurse practitioners to spiritually inclined African-American patients. Nurse practitioners ought to promote beneficial religious coping strategies for dealing with impediments to the adherence to antihypertensive drugs.
Saunders, S., MacLeod,M. L. P., Salyers, V., MacMillan, P. D., & Ogborn, M. R. (2013). Anaemia management protocols in the care of haemodialysis patients: Examining patient outcomes. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 22(15-16), 2206–2215.
Recent times have seen a tremendous increase in the number of patients with end-stage renal disease, which requires hemodialysis as renal replacement rehabilitation. The authors of this article intend to find out whether the use of nurse-guided procedures in hemodialysis settings yields similar outcomes with physician-driven tactics in the management of anemia. The study uses 107 subjects out of which 64 form the control group while the remaining 43 comprise the treatment (protocol) group. The protocol cohort employs a nurse-directed strategy in the control of renal anemia while the control group uses the conventional physician-guided approach in the management of anemia. The patient outcomes that are observed during the study include the amounts of hemoglobin and the saturation of transferrin. The usage of erythropoietin-invigorating substances and the administration of intravenous iron are also assessed.
Both treatment groups (control and protocol) attain the desired levels of hemoglobin at the end of the study. However, the attainment of the expected transferrin saturation concentrations is elevated in the protocol faction than the control category. In addition, the costs associated with the use of iron are substantially higher in the control group than the protocol group. Conversely, the costs associated with the use of erythropoietin-stimulating agents are more in the protocol group than in the control cluster. The study concludes that nurse-directed approaches to managing anemia in hemodialysis patients are as effective as physician-directed approaches.
This article provides a solution to the current challenge of inadequate personnel in the management of the increased incidence of chronic kidney disease. The article shows that nurses can facilitate the provision of dependable and efficient anemia care to patients on hemodialysis.
References
Akin, S., Mendi, B., Ozturk, B., Cinper, C., & Durna, Z. (2012). Assessment of relationship between self-care and fatigue and loneliness in haemodialysis patients. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 23(5-6), 856–864.
Kara, B. (2009). Herbal product use in a sample of Turkish patients undergoing haemodialysis. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 18(15), 2197–2205.
Lewis L. M. (2011). Medication adherence and spiritual perspectives among African American older women with hypertension. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 37(6), 34-41.
Saunders, S., MacLeod, M. L. P., Salyers, V., MacMillan, P. D., & Ogborn, M. R. (2013). Anaemia management protocols in the care of haemodialysis patients: Examining patient outcomes. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 22(15-16), 2206–2215.