Question

John, age 19 years, has been diagnosed with chronic renal failure and scheduled for routine hemodialysis.

1. What problems would you expect John to have reported to his physician before this diagnosis? (See Chronic Renal Failure.)

2. What symptoms and signs has John been experiencing?

3. How will renal dialysis affect John’s studies at university? What accommodations should he request?

Answer 1

1. What problems would you expect John to have reported to his physician before this diagnosis

• Fatigue & Shortness of breath
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Changes in urinating pattern
• Nausea & Vomiting and abdominal pain
• Pale dry & Itchy skin
• Muscle cramps
• Insomnia
• Swelling of legs
• Metallic taste in mouth with halitosis

2. What symptoms and signs has John been experiencing?

• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Leg cramps
• Malaise
• Low blood pressure
• Joint pain
• Back pain
• Shortness of breath and chest pain
• Fever and chills
• Insomnia and anger ,stress and depression

3. How will renal dialysis affect John’s studies at university? What accommodations should he request?

He may experience low self esteem because of his chronic illness which cant be reversed. He may be angry and depressed most of the times because of the pain , fatique , dizziness and loss of appetite due to his illness and hemodialysis. For chronic condition hemodialysis may be two or three times a week . After hemodialysis he may be tired so loss of concentration may occur which can affect his studies. He may feel emotionally and physically draining and devastated because of his condition.

He needs to know coping skills to stabilize his studies.

He can be always connected with doctor and healthcare team. He should be in a clean environment because he may be infected easily. He should be given a room near to healthcenter in university.