What is the appropriate nursing response when a client with end-stage renal disease asks for a witness to sign their living will?
The most appropriate nursing response to the client is to say that she is caring for a client with a diagnosis of end-stage renal disease. What is renal disease? Renal disease is a condition during which the kidneys stop working and are not able to remove waste and extra water from the blood or keep body chemicals in balance. Therefore, the nurse should explain to the client why she cannot act as a witness for the living will, as her primary focus is on providing care to the client with end-stage renal disease.
Understanding End-Stage Renal Disease
End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is a serious medical condition where the kidneys are no longer able to function effectively. ESRD is the final stage of chronic kidney disease when the kidneys have lost nearly all their ability to function, which can result in dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes, and wastes building up in the body.
Patients with ESRD require life-saving treatments such as hemodialysis or kidney transplantation to survive. Without these interventions, the toxins and excess fluids in the body can reach life-threatening levels, leading to serious complications and even death.
It is crucial for healthcare providers, including nurses, to have a good understanding of ESRD and its implications for patient care. Patients with ESRD often experience a host of physical and emotional challenges, including fatigue, anemia, bone disease, and depression. Nurses play a vital role in providing holistic care to these patients, addressing not only their physical symptoms but also supporting their mental and emotional well-being.
When a patient with ESRD expresses a request for legal matters such as signing a living will, it is essential for healthcare providers to address the situation sensitively and professionally. In the case mentioned, the nurse should gently explain to the client that, due to her primary role in providing medical care, she cannot serve as a witness for the living will.
It is important for patients with ESRD to have their legal affairs in order and to have their wishes documented in legally binding documents such as living wills. However, healthcare providers must maintain clear boundaries between their roles as caregivers and any legal or personal matters involving their patients.
By prioritizing the well-being and care of the patient with ESRD, nurses can ensure that they are providing the best possible support and assistance to those facing the challenges of end-stage renal disease.