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Chronic renal failure (CRF) or chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the end result of a gradual, progressive loss of kidney function. The loss of function may be so slow that you do not have symptoms until your kidneys have almost stopped working.
The final stage of chronic kidney disease is called end-stage renal disease (ESRD). At this stage, the kidneys are no longer able to remove enough wastes and excess fluids from the body. At this point, you would need dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Nursing Care Plans
The nursing care planning goal for with chronic renal failure is to prevent further complications and supportive care. Client education is also critical as this is a chronic disease and thus requires long-term treatment.
Below are 17 nursing care plans (NCP) and nursing diagnosis for patients with chronic renal failure or chronic kidney disease:
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- Risk for Decreased Cardiac Output
- Risk for Ineffective Protection
- Disturbed Thought Process
- Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity
- Risk for Impaired Oral Mucous Membrane
- Deficient Knowledge
- Excess Fluid Volume
- Acute Pain
- Impaired Renal Tissue Perfusion
- Impaired Urinary Elimination
- Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements
- NEW Activity Intolerance
- NEW Disturbed Body Image
- NEW Anticipatory Grieving
- NEW Risk for Infection
- NEW Risk for Injury
- Other Possible Nursing Care Plans
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Deficient Knowledge
Nursing Diagnosis
May be related to
- Lack of exposure/recall, information misinterpretation
- Cognitive limitation
Possibly evidenced by
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- Questions/request for information, statement of misconception
- Inaccurate follow-through of instructions, development of preventable complications
Desired Outcomes
- Verbalize understanding of condition/disease process and potential complications.
- Verbalize understanding of therapeutic needs.
- Correctly perform necessary procedures and explain reasons for the actions.
- Demonstrate/initiate necessary lifestyle changes.
- Participate in treatment regimen.
| Nursing Interventions | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Review disease process and prognosis and future expectations. | Provides knowledge base from which patient can make informed choices. |
| Review dietary restrictions, including: | |
| Phosphorus (carbonated drinks, processed foods, poultry, corn, peanuts) and magnesium (whole grain products, legumes); | Retention of phosphorus stimulates the parathyroid glands to shift calcium from bones (renal osteodystrophy ) , and accumulation of magnesium can impair neuromuscular function and mentation. |
| Fluid and sodium restrictions when indicated. | If fluid retention is a problem, patient may need to restrict intake of fluid to 1100 cc (or less) and restrict dietary sodium. If fluid overload is present, diuretic therapy or dialysis will be part of the regimen. |
| Discuss other nutritional concerns such as regulating protein intake according to level of renal function (generally 0.6 – 0.7g per k of body weight per day of good quality protein, such as meat, eggs). | Metabolites that accumulate in blood derive almost entirely from protein catabolism; as renal function declines, proteins may be restricted proportionately. Too little protein can result in malnutrition. Note: Patient on dialysis may not need to be as vigilant with protein intake. |
| Encourage adequate calorie intake, especially from carbohydrates in the nondiabetic patient. | Spares protein, prevents wasting, and provides energy. Note: Use of special glucose polymer powders can add calories to enhance energy level without extra food or fluid intake. |
| Discuss drug therapy, including use of calcium supplements and phosphate binders such as aluminum hydroxide antacids (Amphojel, Basalgel) and avoidance of magnesium antacids (Mylanta, Maalox, Gelusil); vitamin D. | Prevents serious complications (reducing phosphate absorption from the GI tract and supplying calcium to maintain normal serum levels, reducing risk of bone demineralization or fractures, tetany); however, use of aluminum – containing products should be monitored because accumulation in the bones potentiates osteodystrophy. Magnesium products potentiate risk of hypermagnesemia. Note: Supplemental vitamin D may be required to facilitate calcium absorption. |
| Stress importance of reading all product labels (drugs and food) and not taking medications without prior approval of healthcare provider. | It is difficult to maintain electrolyte balance when exogenous intake is not factored into dietary restrictions, (hypercalcemia can result from routine supplement use in combination with increased dietary intake of calcium – fortified foods and medications containing calcium). |
| Review measures to prevent bleeding and hemorrhage, (use of soft toothbrush, electric razor); avoidance of constipation, forceful blowing of nose, strenuous exercise and contact sports. | Reduces risks related to alteration of clotting factors and decreased platelet count. |
| Instruct in self – observation and self-monitoring of BP, including scheduling rest period before taking BP, using same arm or position. | Incidence of hypertension is increased in CRF, often requiring management with antihypertensive drugs, necessitating close observation of treatment effects (vascular response to medication). |
| Caution against exposure to external temperature extremes (heating pad or snow). | Peripheral neuropathy may develop, especially in lower extremities (effects of uremia, electrolyte and acid-base imbalances), impairing peripheral sensation and potentiating risk of tissue injury. |
| Establish routine exercise program within limits of individual ability; intersperse adequate rest periods with activities. | Aids in maintaining muscle tone and joint flexibility. Reduces risks associated with immobility (including bone demineralization), while preventing fatigue. |
| Address sexual concerns. | Physiological effects of uremia and antihypertensive therapy may impair sexual desire and performance. |
| Identify available resources as indicated. Stress necessity of medical and laboratory follow- up. | Close monitoring of renal function and electrolyte balance is necessary to adjust dietary prescription, treatment or make decisions about possible options such as dialysis and transplantation. |
| Identify signs and symptoms requiring immediate medical evaluation (Low -grade fever, chills, changes in characteristics of urine and sputum, tissue swelling and drainage, oral ulcerations; | Depressed immune system, anemia, malnutrition all contribute to increased risk of infection. |
| Numbness and tingling of digits, abdominal and muscle cramps, carpopedal spasms; | Uremia and decreased absorption of calcium may lead to peripheral neuropathies. |
| Joint swelling and tenderness, decreased ROM, reduced muscle strength; | Hyperphosphatemia with corresponding calcium shifts from the bone may result in deposition of the excess calcium phosphate as calcifications in joints and soft tissues. Symptoms of skeletal involvement are often noted before impairment in organ function is evident. |
| Headaches, blurred vision, periorbital and sacral edema, “red eyes”; | Suggestive of development and poor control of hypertension, or changes in eyes caused by calcium. |
| Review strategies to prevent constipation, including stool softeners (Colace) and bulk laxatives (Metamucil) but avoiding magnesium products (milk of magnesia). | Reduced fluid intake, changes in dietary pattern, and use of phosphate – binding products often result in constipation that is not responsive to nonmedical interventions.Use of products containing magnesium increases risk of hypermagnesemia. |
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Recommended Resources
Recommended nursing diagnosis and nursing care plan books and resources.
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- Nursing Care Plans: Nursing Diagnosis and Intervention (10th Edition)
An awesome book to help you create and customize effective nursing care plans. We highly recommend this book for its completeness and ease of use. - Nurse’s Pocket Guide: Diagnoses, Prioritized Interventions and Rationales
A quick-reference tool to easily select the appropriate nursing diagnosis to plan your patient’s care effectively. - NANDA International Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions & Classification, 2021-2023 (12th Edition)
The official and definitive guide to nursing diagnoses as reviewed and approved by the NANDA-I. This book focuses on the nursing diagnostic labels, their defining characteristics, and risk factors – this does not include nursing interventions and rationales. - Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, 12th Edition Revised Reprint with 2021-2023 NANDA-I® Updates
Another great nursing care plan resource that is updated to include the recent NANDA-I updates. - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5(TM))
Useful for creating nursing care plans related to mental health and psychiatric nursing. - Ulrich & Canale’s Nursing Care Planning Guides, 8th Edition
Claims to have the most in-depth care plans of any nursing care planning book. Includes 31 detailed nursing diagnosis care plans and 63 disease/disorder care plans. - Maternal Newborn Nursing Care Plans (3rd Edition)
If you’re looking for specific care plans related to maternal and newborn nursing care, this book is for you. - Nursing Diagnosis Manual: Planning, Individualizing, and Documenting Client Care (7th Edition)
An easy-to-use nursing care plan book that is updated with the latest diagnosis from NANDA-I 2021-2023. - All-in-One Nursing Care Planning Resource: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Maternity, and Psychiatric-Mental Health (5th Edition)
Definitely an all-in-one resources for nursing care planning. It has over 100 care plans for different nursing topics.
See also
Other recommended site resources for this nursing care plan:
- Nursing Care Plans (NCP): Ultimate Guide and Database
Over 150+ nursing care plans for different diseases and conditions. Includes our easy-to-follow guide on how to create nursing care plans from scratch. - Nursing Diagnosis Guide and List: All You Need to Know to Master Diagnosing
Our comprehensive guide on how to create and write diagnostic labels. Includes detailed nursing care plan guides for common nursing diagnostic labels.
Other care plans and nursing diagnoses related to reproductive and urinary system disorders:
- Acute Glomerulonephritis | 4 Care Plans
- Acute Renal Failure | 6 Care Plans
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) | 5 Care Plans
- Chronic Renal Failure | 11 Care Plans
- Hemodialysis | 3 Care Plans
- Hysterectomy (TAHBSO) | 6 Care Plans
- Mastectomy | 14+ Care Plans
- Menopause | 6 Care Plans
- Nephrotic Syndrome | 5 Care Plans
- Peritoneal Dialysis | 6 Care Plans
- Prostatectomy | 6 Care Plans
- Urolithiasis (Renal Calculi) | 4 Care Plans
- Urinary Tract Infection | 4 Care Plans
- Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR) | 5 Care Plans
A teaching plan on Urosepsis
Nursing care plan on cardiorenal syndrome
Thank you Matt :) This helped me understand how to do a care plan. I was asked to do one without them showing us a sample first so I was completely lost. Thank you!
Good lesson
It’s really helpful 💕
Hi Matt,
I’m an RN BSN WCC x 25 years. What you’re doing is great. Keep up the good work. Only suggestion is to broaden examples of applicable POC’s in the community. Community nursing is becoming highly skilled. Especially with Covid. In many cases of CKD, in the community, the CG becomes a huge part of the POC. Teach and Assess must be added to POC.
Keep going! Its not enough for our nursing students to pass the boards. They need to understand critical thinking, and be creative/problem solve now more than ever.
Best,
Sue
Hi Sue,
We’ll do our best to include your suggestion on our nursing care plans (which we are currently updating). And I agree: thinking critically is a must skill. Thank you so much for your kind words!