Chronic Kidney Disease

Course overview

The care of individuals with chronic kidney disease includes a complete physical assessment, health screening to aid in the diagnosis of a disease process and development of a holistic health plan throughout the course of the disease. When kidney disease becomes chronic there are unique and often challenging aspects to care that can develop, including dietary and lifestyle changes, the use of pharmaceutical agents, dialysis and surgical interventions. Patients and families require ongoing support and education about what to anticipate throughout the course of a chronic disease and the treatment plan. The biopsychosocial aspects of having a diagnosis of chronic kidney disease require health teams to adopt an integrated approach to caring for affected individuals and families.