1. Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome in the Neurointensive Care Unit: A Case Study
- Author
-
Steward, Caroline
- Subjects
Brain injuries -- Case studies ,Stroke -- Case studies ,Nurses ,Intracranial pressure ,Hemodialysis ,Brain hemorrhage ,Hemorrhage ,Health - Abstract
Renal replacement therapy, especially hemodialysis, can exacerbate brain injury. The excessive ultrafiltration and rapid changes in blood pressure directly impact cerebral perfusion pressure. Substances that are typically added or removed during hemodialysis treatments alter serum osmolarity, shifting fluids into or out of the intracranial cavity. This results in changes in the intracranial pressure due to shrinking or swelling of the cerebral parenchyma, which if left untreated, can result in death. This article describes a case of dialysis disequilibrium syndrome and is an example of how astute nephrology nurses can directly impact the care of critically ill neurological patients. Key Words: Renal replacement therapy, hemodialysis, intracranial hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, stroke, osmolarity, intracranial pressure, cerebral parenchyma, neurology, acute kidney injury., According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2017), every year, more than 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke. About 610,000 (77%) of these will [...]
- Published
- 2019