Hemodialysis complications in acute renal failure patients: nursing rocedures

Abstract

This retrospective cross-sectional study has identified both the prevalence of complications during hemodialitic treatment in patients carrying acute renal failure (ARF) in an intensive care unit of a university hospital and the nursing procedures performed during those episodes. We have assessed sixty-five (282 sessions) records of ARF patients who underwent renal replacement therapy and presented complications during hemodialysis sessions. We have noticed that the most prevalent intradialitic complications were: arterial hypotension (35%), hypothermia (29%), and lack of flow in the vascular access (24.1%). The nursing procedure prioritized during episodes of clinical complications involved clinical assessment (66.8%) and evaluation of patients’ consciousness level (59.9%). The search for nursing procedures that are suitable to different situations experienced by patients during hemodialysis, as well as continuing education of the nursing team are actions that may minimize the intercurrence rate.