Current trends in diet and drug therapy for the dialysis patient

It is virtually impossible to discuss diet and drug therapy separately in the treatment of the hemodialysis patient. Drugs and dialysis techniques often necessitate changes in dietary care, just as dietary indiscretions call for changes in drug therapy and dialysis. In order to coordinate the various facets when ordering diets, several factors must be considered. The physician plans the drug therapy with input from the dialysis nurses, especially for dialysis effects on salt, water, K+, and protein balance, and the dietitian coordinates the diet with drug and dialysis therapy. It is therefore essential that all personnel must interact as a team if the patient is to receive the maximum benefit of hemodialysis. To maintain this delicate, constantly changing approach, a balance of teamwork is essential.