Updated guide for nephrology nursing is a valuable learning tool

The new Contemporary Nephrology Nursing edited by Sandra M. Bodin, MA, RN, CNN, is a comprehensive text that spans all subjects nephrology nurses will encounter during their practice. Published by the American Nephrology Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA), the last edition of this book was published in 2006. With nephrology nursing and health care rapidly changing, a new updated version was necessary. The preface, written by the author, and the style guide explain the layout and will spur one’s excitement to delve into this book. While nephrology nurses may have more experience in one area but less in another, this book will allow readers to gain new knowledge in their expertise and seek information on those areas that one is a novice. The reader may wish to utilize the book only as a reference and seek information as needed, or use it as a complete text if knowledge of the full breadth of nephrology nursing is desired.

Special sections

The text takes a logical path, with 10 sections beginning with professional nursing and the evolution of nephrology nursing. The next four sections discuss physiology and modalities. Nephrology nurses may wish to begin at the area of their expertise to confirm and strengthen their practice.

A topic familiar to the experienced nurse is fluid and electrolytes. The chapter by Bodin and Ray titled “Fluid, electrolytes and acid-base balance” covers the basic concepts of fluid and electrolytes and an in-depth discussion on acid-base balance. Pharmacology is lightly covered in each chapter as related to the topic and its pathophysiology, but a later chapter has a more robust discussion of the science of pharmacology. Recently brought to the forefront by McIntyre and colleagues, organ stunning during hemodialysis is covered in the chapter titled, “Hemodialysis-induced myocardial stunning,” and is a fascinating, albeit alarming, topic. Burrows describes the nature of this condition and the potential causes expertly.

The chapter on children with kidney disease is included in section six and stresses the intricacies of the pediatric needs, both in the treatment modalities and in safety and quality of life issues. A topical subject in the news and on nursing websites has been staffing. The study by Gilman and Frauman is cited by Windt, Pavlick and Richards in this chapter, which lists specific staffing minimums for neonates, those weighing less than 3 kg or 30 kg, as well as older children. The description was clearly written and explained why the ratios are as such and may need adjusting depending on the child’s condition.

Nurses working with adults may not be aware of the importance of these minimum staffing requirements. Included in this chapter is an explanation of an important team member — the child life specialist — which helps nursing understand the child’s stage of development and can prepare the child for procedures using medical play.

Novel therapies, such as regenerative medicine, wearable artificial kidneys and the implantable artificial kidney, are discussed. The reader will have a basic understanding of this research, but these areas will continue to evolve, and the authors acknowledge that we will need to ‘stay tuned.’

The chapter on infection control by Brown, Wiseman, Holloway and Bodin was comprehensive for the incidence, treatment and preventive steps for nurses in managing infections that patients on dialysis may be exposed to or develop. The breakdown of all types of hepatitis was excellent, as was the interpretation of the serologic testing. No longer in the news but still potentially serious is the Ebola virus, and the last section of this chapter is devoted to this deadly disease and its potential for acute kidney injury. An endemic of this disease is always a possibility. Practical tips for minimizing patient exposure in outpatient hemodialysis facilities was not addressed in this book and may have been a topic the staff would find helpful.

Not stressed in the text is that there is access to more than 75 contact hours ($15 to $20 fee for ANNA members and $25 to $30 for non-members). The cost of the book is $125 for ANNA members and for $175 non-members. At 1,072 pages, it is an affordable resource for all those who want a comprehensive text on nephrology nursing. -by Sheila M. Deziel, MSN, RN, CNN

References:

Gilman C, et al. The child with kidney disease. In. A. Molzahn & E. Butera (Eds.). Contemporary Nephrology Nursing. 2006;457-484; Pitman, NJ: American Nephrology Nurses Association.

McIntyre CW, et al. Seminars in Dialysis. 2014;27(2):87-97.

For more information:

Sheila Deziel MSN, RN, CNN, FNKF, is a member of the American Nephrology Nurses Association and is a clinical nurse specialist with Fresenius Medical Care. The Mesa, Arizona resident is a member of NN&I’s Editorial Advisory Board. Disclosure: Deziel reports no relevant financial disclosures.