Question

The nurse is planning patient teaching for a patient with ESKD who is scheduled for the creation of a fistula. The nurse would include which of the following in teaching the patient about the fistula?

A) A vein and an artery in your arm will be attached surgically.
B) The arm should be immobilized for 4 to 6 days.
C) One needle will be inserted into the fistula for each dialysis treatment.
D) The fistula can be used 2 days after the surgery for dialysis treatment.

Answer 1

When teaching a patient about a fistula for hemodialysis, the nurse should include information about the surgical connection of an artery and a vein in the arm, the need for immobilization after surgery, the use of needles for dialysis treatments, and the timeline for using the fistula.

Step-by-step explanation:

When teaching a patient about a fistula, the nurse would include the following information:

1. A vein and an artery in your arm will be attached surgically. A fistula is created by surgically connecting an artery and a vein in the arm, usually in the wrist or forearm. This connection allows for easier access to the bloodstream for dialysis treatments.
2. The arm should be immobilized for 4 to 6 days. After the fistula surgery, it is important to immobilize the arm to allow the surgical site to heal and prevent complications.
3. One needle will be inserted into the fistula for each dialysis treatment. During dialysis, one needle is inserted into the vein part of the fistula to draw out the blood, and another needle is inserted into the artery part of the fistula to return the filtered blood.
4. The fistula can be used 2 days after the surgery for dialysis treatment. Once the fistula has healed, it can typically be used for dialysis treatments within 2 days of the surgery.