Nursing Care for Fatigue in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Abstract

Fatigue is a common symptom in patients with chronic kidney disease who undergo hemodialysis. It is an individual experience that involves feelings that occur to any part of the body or to all parts at the same time that indicate discomfort, tiredness, exhaustion, no energy, and decreased activities. Causes that create fatigue include the presence of waste products in the body, bone joints and muscle disorders, imbalance of water and electrolytes, anemia, insufficient hemodialysis, poor nutritional status, and psychological problems such as anxiety, stress, depression, etc. These factors cause energy loss and fatigue. The effects reduced physical functions and eventually reduce quality of life. Nurses who provide care need to quickly assess the causes of fatigue and find effective and appropriate fatigue management solutions for each patient. There are several methods that nursing care can relieve fatigue in patients with chronic kidney disease who have undergone hemodialysis such as education, exercise, yoga, foot reflexology, aromatherapy, warm foot baths and massage. Despite these methods, nurses should encourage patients to practice activities to take better care of themselves and be able to live happily with chronic kidney disease while reducing complications and improving quality of life.