Final answer:
The client with chronic renal failure starting hemodialysis should strictly follow their hemodialysis schedule, be prepared for dietary changes including a low potassium diet, and adopt infection prevention measures at the dialysis access site. Lifestyle adjustments will also be necessary to manage this new treatment regimen.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a client is diagnosed with chronic renal failure and needs to start hemodialysis, client teaching should focus on several critical instructions. One of the most important is to strictly follow the hemodialysis schedule, which involves several sessions per week to filter waste products such as urea, as well as excess water from the blood, since the kidneys are no longer capable of performing this function adequately.
Clients should also be informed about necessary dietary changes, which typically include restricting potassium intake due to the kidneys' reduced ability to excrete this mineral. It is also essential to practice good hygiene, particularly at the site of dialysis access, but the general recommendation is not necessarily a high use of alcohol on the skin unless specified by a healthcare provider, as this could cause skin irritation or other issues. Instead, patients are often advised to use specific cleaning protocols to avoid infection. Finally, clients should be prepared for lifestyle changes that accommodate the demands of their treatment schedule and dietary restrictions.