Nursing care and patient education

- The nursing care for patients with glomerulonephritis involves monitoring their vital signs, urine output, fluid balance, electrolyte levels, and kidney function tests.

- The nurse also administers medications as prescribed and provides supportive care to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.

- Some of the nursing interventions include:

• Assessing for signs and symptoms of fluid overload, such as edema, weight gain, crackles in the lungs, jugular vein distension, and shortness of breath. The nurse measures the patient's intake and output, daily weight, and abdominal girth, and reports any abnormal findings to the physician.
• Administering diuretics as ordered and monitoring their effects on urine output, fluid balance, electrolyte levels, and blood pressure. The nurse also educates the patient on the importance of taking diuretics as prescribed and reporting any side effects, such as dehydration, muscle cramps, or dizziness.
• Restricting fluid intake as ordered and providing oral care to prevent dryness of the mouth. The nurse also educates the patient on how to measure and record their fluid intake and how to recognize signs of dehydration, such as thirst, dry skin, or dark urine.
• Restricting sodium intake as ordered and providing low-sodium diet options to prevent fluid retention and hypertension. The nurse also educates the patient on how to read food labels and avoid high-sodium foods, such as processed meats, canned soups, or salty snacks.
• Restricting protein intake as ordered and providing high-quality protein sources to prevent proteinuria and malnutrition. The nurse also educates the patient on how to choose foods that are rich in protein but low in phosphorus and potassium, such as eggs, lean meats, or dairy products.
• Administering corticosteroids and immunosuppressants as ordered and monitoring their effects on inflammation, infection, blood sugar levels, and bone density. The nurse also educates the patient on how to take these drugs as prescribed and reports any side effects, such as weight gain, mood changes, increased susceptibility to infections, or osteoporosis.
• Administering antihypertensives as ordered and monitoring their effects on blood pressure and kidney function. The nurse also educates the patient on how to take these drugs as prescribed and reports any side effects, such as hypotension, headache, or fatigue.
• Administering anticoagulants as ordered and monitoring their effects on bleeding time and clotting factors. The nurse also educates the patient on how to take these drugs as prescribed and reports any side effects, such as bruising, bleeding gums, or hematuria.
• Preparing the patient for dialysis or kidney transplant if indicated and providing preoperative and postoperative care. The nurse also educates the patient on what to expect during and after the procedure, how to care for the dialysis access site or the transplanted kidney, and how to prevent infection and rejection.

- The patient education for glomerulonephritis involves teaching the patient about the disease process, the treatment options, and the lifestyle modifications that can help prevent or delay kidney damage.

- Some of the topics that the nurse should cover include:

• The causes and risk factors of glomerulonephritis and how to prevent or treat them. For example, the nurse should advise the patient to seek medical attention for any signs of infection, such as fever, sore throat, or skin rash, and to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed.
• The signs and symptoms of glomerulonephritis and how to monitor them. For example, the nurse should instruct the patient to check their urine for color, clarity, and odor, and to report any changes, such as blood, protein, or foul smell, to the physician.
• The complications of glomerulonephritis and how to recognize and prevent them. For example, the nurse should warn the patient about the signs and symptoms of acute or chronic kidney failure, such as nausea, vomiting, confusion, or seizures, and to seek emergency care if they occur.
• The importance of adhering to the prescribed medication regimen and following up with regular blood tests and urine tests to evaluate the kidney function and the response to treatment. The nurse should also remind the patient to keep a list of their medications and their dosages and to inform their health care providers about any allergies or drug interactions.
• The importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle that can support kidney health and overall wellbeing. The nurse should encourage the patient to quit smoking, limit alcohol intake, exercise regularly, manage stress, and follow a balanced diet that is low in sodium, protein, phosphorus, and potassium. The nurse should also provide resources and referrals for smoking cessation programs, nutrition counseling, physical therapy, or mental health services as needed.