A nurse is assessing a client who has end stage kidney disease. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply)
Explanation & Rationale
Rationale: A. Oliguria: Clients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) often experience oliguria or significantly reduced urine output due to severe loss of nephron function. This contributes to fluid retention, electrolyte imbalances, and accumulation of waste products in the body. B. Hypotension: ESKD more commonly leads to hypertension rather than hypotension because of fluid overload and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Hypotension may occur only during dialysis or with certain medications but is not an expected finding in untreated ESKD. C. Edema: Fluid retention caused by decreased glomerular filtration and impaired renal excretion leads to peripheral and sometimes generalized edema. Edema is a classic sign of ESKD and indicates compromised fluid balance. D. Anemia: Impaired kidney function reduces erythropoietin production, leading to decreased red blood cell synthesis and resultant anemia. Clients often require erythropoiesis-stimulating agents or supplemental iron to manage this complication. E. Bradypnea: Respiratory rate is not typically decreased in ESKD. If present, bradypnea would suggest a separate neurologic or respiratory issue rather than a direct effect of kidney failure. Clients may develop Kussmaul respirations if metabolic acidosis is severe, but bradypnea is not expected.