Nursing interventions for rehabilitating renal patients

Of the more than 180,000 Americans who have end stage renal disease (ESRD), only 25% of those of working age (18-55) are employed. This figure has remained low despite improvements in technology and pharmacology. In 1993, a Life Options Rehabilitation Advisory Council identified five areas that must be targeted to achieve rehabilitation success: employment, exercise, education, encouragement and evaluation (the 5 E's). This article addresses nursing interventions for rehabilitation related to these five E's.