From the listed nursing problems, which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate to address fluid overload in ESRD?

From the listed nursing problems, which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate to address fluid overload in ESRD?

• A. Risk for infection.
• B. Fatigue.
• C. Excess fluid volume.
• D. Knowledge deficit.

Answer: (C)

Fluid balance is the central issue in ESRD. When the kidneys can’t excrete excess fluid, the patient tends to retain water, leading to signs like edema, lung crackles, hypertension, shortness of breath, and weight gain. The nursing diagnosis that directly describes this problem is Excess fluid volume, which guides monitoring of intake and output, daily weights, edema and lung status, and implementing fluid and sodium restrictions as part of the plan. The other options describe related but distinct issues: infection risk focuses on infection prevention, fatigue can stem from anemia or uremia rather than fluid status, and knowledge deficit concerns education rather than the immediate fluid imbalance.

Fluid balance is the central issue in ESRD. When the kidneys can’t excrete excess fluid, the patient tends to retain water, leading to signs like edema, lung crackles, hypertension, shortness of breath, and weight gain. The nursing diagnosis that directly describes this problem is Excess fluid volume, which guides monitoring of intake and output, daily weights, edema and lung status, and implementing fluid and sodium restrictions as part of the plan.

The other options describe related but distinct issues: infection risk focuses on infection prevention, fatigue can stem from anemia or uremia rather than fluid status, and knowledge deficit concerns education rather than the immediate fluid imbalance.