Patient Education and Psychosocial Care Flashcards

A dialysis patient repeatedly misses treatments. What is the most effective first step in addressing non-adherence?

Answer: Explore underlying barriers such as transportation, depression, or financial concerns

Identifying and addressing root causes of non-adherence — such as psychosocial barriers, depression, or logistical obstacles — is more effective than punitive approaches.

Which dietary education point is MOST important for a dialysis patient with consistently elevated pre-dialysis potassium levels?

Answer: Identify and limit high-potassium foods like bananas, oranges, potatoes, and tomatoes

Educating patients to identify and limit specific high-potassium foods is the primary dietary strategy for managing hyperkalemia between dialysis sessions.

What is the purpose of measuring serum albumin in a dialysis patient's monthly labs?

Answer: Assess nutritional status as a predictor of morbidity and mortality

Serum albumin is a key marker of nutritional status in dialysis patients; levels below 3.5 g/dL are associated with significantly increased morbidity and mortality.

When teaching a patient about signs of access complications to report between treatments, which symptom requires the most urgent notification?

Answer: Uncontrolled bleeding from the access site that does not stop with 20 minutes of pressure

Uncontrolled bleeding from the access site despite prolonged pressure is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate emergency services contact.

Which nutritional supplement is routinely recommended for hemodialysis patients due to dialytic losses?

Answer: Water-soluble vitamins B and C (dialysis-specific formulation)

Water-soluble vitamins (B-complex and C) are lost during dialysis and must be replaced with dialysis-specific formulations that contain appropriate doses to prevent deficiency.

A patient on dialysis asks about sexual dysfunction they have been experiencing. What is the most appropriate nursing response?

Answer: Acknowledge it is a common complication of ESRD and refer to physician and/or renal social worker for evaluation

Sexual dysfunction is a common and distressing complication of ESRD that deserves acknowledgment, patient validation, and appropriate referral to the renal team for evaluation and management.