Chronic Kidney Disease

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the numerous factors of kidney disease can directly affect a sufferer's state of mind. Not only is there physical pain involved, but also there is the humiliation of having a catheter, the burden of dialysis, the stress of the potential of transplant surgery and the possibility of putting a loved one in danger if they become a donor. The author points out that diagnosis and appropriate treatment of a psychiatric problem related to chronic kidney disease depends on a rational assessment of numerous contributing factors and the strengths and weaknesses of the individual. The paper stresses that one of the most important roles the advanced practice nurse is early detection and intervention.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Overview of Kidney Disease
Implications for Mental Health
Diagnosis and Treatment
Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse

From the Paper:

"Statistically, men and women over 55 face an increasing probability of acquiring some chronic disease (Birren & Sloane, 2001). A psychiatric symptom such as poor memory may be related to organic illness, for example, a brain disorder, or represent a psychological aspect of an illness, for example, depression. Depression is the most frequent incapacitating psychiatric problem throughout life. More than half the victims of a serious depression have their first episode after 60, and estimates are that careful clinical examination would confirm depression in 10 to 30 percent of those over 65."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Birren J. E. & R. B. Sloane (2001), Handbook of mental health and aging. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall
• Fawcett, J. (2005) Contemporary nursing knowledge: Analysis and evaluation of nursing models and theories, 2nd Edition, University of Massachusetts
• Greenberg, A. (2005), Primer on kidney diseases, 4th edition, Saunders Publishing
• Lang, S.S. & Thase, M.E. (2004) Beating the blues: New approaches to overcoming dysthymia and chronic mild depression, Oxford University Press
• National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) Kidney and Urologic Diseases Statistics for the United States, 2007, Available onlinehttp://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kustats/index.htm

More papers on Chronic Kidney Disease:

• Descriptive Essay # 102280 : "End-Stage Renal Disease"
• Descriptive Essay # 94460 : "Chronic Renal Failure"
• Research Paper # 107679 : "Kidney Transplant Recipients and Cognitive Learning"

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