Nutritional Assessment in End Stage Renal Disease

Course overview

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have an increase in their blood urea concentration (i.e., uremia) that can cause nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and anorexia (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine [PCRM], n.d.). These symptoms, in addition to metabolic derangement, polypharmacy, and underlying comorbidities, will directly impact a patient's nutritional status. A comprehensive nutrition assessment is a valuable tool for guiding appropriate interventions. This course will review the components of a comprehensive nutrition assessment, the ideal parameters of nutritional markers, and how to estimate nutrient requirements for patients with ESRD.