The Role of Hemodialysis Nurses in the Care of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease and Anemia Undergoing Hemodialysis

Abstract

Anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease is a significant complication, with its prevalence increasing as the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) declines to below 60 mL/min. The primary cause is a reduction in erythropoietin production, which stimulates the bone marrow to generate red blood cells. As a result, anemic patients with chronic renal failure require erythropoiesis-stimulating agents and iron supplements for treatment. In some cases, patients need blood transfusions, which must be administered cautiously due to potential complications. Patients with chronic renal failure, as the disease progresses to end-stage renal disease, often require renal replacement therapy, including hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, or kidney transplantation. In hemodialysis patients, dialysis nurses play a crucial role in assessing, monitoring, and caring for patients. They provide care across three stages: pre-dialysis, where they assess the cause of anemia and plan for dialysis; during dialysis, where they monitor for complications; and post-dialysis, where they offer guidance on home care practices to stabilize or increase red blood cell counts.

This article aims to review the current knowledge on anemia in chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis. It covers the incidence, definition, diagnostic methods, causes, symptoms, treatments for anemia, iron deficiency, blood transfusions, and nursing care specific to anemic chronic renal failure patients on hemodialysis. Nursing interventions vary across different stages but share the common goal of preventing severe anemia, reducing the rate of hospitalization and mortality, and improving patients’ quality of life, enabling them to live as similarly as possible to healthy individuals.