ICN Lab
Renal System Reflection
In this paper, I will talk about my takeaways from the lecture video about interventions and
procedure concerning the Renal System such as the following: Peritoneal dialysis, Hemodialysis
and Kidney transplantation.
When the kidneys can no longer efficiently eliminate waste products from the blood,
peritoneal dialysis is used. In this procedure, a dialysis solution flows through a catheter into the
abdomen, which absorbs wastes and extra fluid from the body. It is indicated for patients with
chronic renal failure. PD can be done at home or at work which makes it one of its advantages.
Nursing responsibilities in peritoneal dialysis procedure include maintaining of fluid and dietary
restrictions as ordered, monitoring of BUN, serum electrolyte, and creatinine levels, and adding
prescribed medications to the dialysate.
Hemodialysis is a procedure wherein a dialyzer is used as a special filter to clean the blood.
While the blood passes through a dialyzer, it filters out some of the waste and surplus fluid, the
cleaned blood is then returned to the body via tubes from the dialysis machine. Nursing
responsibilities in hemodialysis procedure include: 1. Obtaining vital signs, monitoring for signs of
bleeding and status of fistula and checking clients’ weight before and after the procedure.
Kidney Transplant is a surgical procedure done to a patient with end-stage kidney disease
(ESRD) wherein a healthy kidney from a living or deceased donor is placed into a person whose
kidneys no longer function properly. Nurses plays an important role during kidney transplantation
procedure, this includes monitoring and maintaining fluid volume, hemodynamic status as well as
the patient’s blood pressure.