Comfort and Fluid Retention in Adult Patients Receiving Hemodialysis

Successful hemodialysis treatments for patients with renal failure depend on patient adherence to prescribed treatment regimens. Lack of adherence may contribute to patient discomfort between hemodialysis treatments. This article reports a descriptive, correlational feasibility study that utilized Kolcaba's Comfort Theory as a framework. The purpose of the study was to determine a potential relationship between comfort and fluid retention (a proxy for adherence) in adults with end stage renal disease receiving hemodialysis. A convenience sample of 51 patients receiving hemodialysis was studied. Comparisons of patient weight gain between hemodialysis treatment sessions measured fluid retention by proxy. Results indicated no significant relationship between the variables of comfort and adherence to fluid restrictions. However, this finding has potential to support clinical practice to minimize weight gain to sustain comfort. Awareness of comfort as a consideration for adherence to prescribed treatment regimens may help nurses coach individuals to improve treatment adherence.