Dilar Costa

By Dilar Costa and Filipa Aguiar

One of the advantages of HBPM (Home Blood Pressure Measurement) compared to office measurement is being a strong predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients, including those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, studies with renal patients not dependent on dialysis are scarce. HBPM is an important tool in the regular monitoring of blood pressure (BP) and in patient’s involvement in its long-term self-management. Nurses have an important role here and their involvement in the process is essential. Nurses must be aware of the latest recommendations as well as they should teach, train, guide and supervise patients. This chapter summarizes information about CKD and hypertension, the importance of measuring blood pressure at home in CKD and describes nursing interventions in this field. Nurses have a role in enabling patients to optimize their self-management skills. Nurse-delivered interventions have been shown to contribute to improved patient outcomes. Nurses can educate patients about proper blood pressure monitoring techniques at home, and also interpreting and evaluating the results and managing the therapeutic regimen. Evidence shows the effects of interventions performed by nurses in improving and controlling BP, such as teaching, training, counseling, motivational interview, coaching, nurse–patient relationship, communication, negotiation, and support.

Part of the book: Ultimate Guide to Outpatient Care

By Dilar Costa, Joana Matias and Filipa Aguiar

Health education has been on the horizon of nursing professionals for decades. The design and development of new education programmes allied to the processes of ageing and chronic diseases have been sought after. In the twenty first century, the need to develop ‘performant’ policies that lead policymakers, health professionals and civil society to move towards new management of chronic disease marked by citizens’ participation in decisions regarding their health and control of the management of their health condition has accelerated the urgency of citizen-centred health care and education programmes tailored to their needs, preferences, values, and condition. In this paper, we explore what has been done around patient education by nursing professionals and the results achieved. We observe a positive scenario where the patient is seen as an active partner, which leads to the integration of a new perspective, assisted and participatory disease management. There is still a need for more structured and systematised education programmes and training for health professionals involved in this process.

Part of the book: Nursing

By Dilar Costa and Joana Silva

Kidney transplantation is considered the best therapeutic option and survival is dependent on adherence to the drug regimen. Adherence to the therapeutic regime thus becomes the key to success. However, the literature shows that not all patients are adherent, and readmission due to graft dysfunction is a reality. Although a direct relationship between adherence to the therapeutic regimen and graft dysfunction cannot be attributed, the issue of adherence is far from not deserving the attention of health professionals. This text aims to identify the importance of nursing interventions in promoting adherence to the therapeutic regimen. In an exploratory approach to the process of adherence, and reflecting on concordance and its relevance to adherence, given the heterogeneity of both definitions, we aimed to study the nurses’ role and the type of interventions to promote adherence to the therapeutic regimen in transplanted renal patients. We conclude that education and counselling are the predominant interventions and that concordance is part of this practice, where the expected outcome is kidney graft survival as a consequence of adherence to the therapeutic regimen.

Part of the book: Current Challenges and Advances in Organ Donation and Transplantation

By Dilar Costa, Joana Silva and Jéssica Oliveira

This study delves into the vital role of education in caring for kidney transplant recipients, underscoring the imperative for personalized, patient-centered educational programs. The analysis of nursing care quality standards, concerning health promotion, complication prevention, and autonomy, highlights the critical relevance of education in post-transplant management. Educational strategies, including participatory models and interdisciplinary approaches in the teaching process, are discussed. The conclusion underscores the nurse’s pivotal role in comprehensively understanding the patient and effectively promoting resocialization after transplantation.

Part of the book: New Insights in Perioperative Care [Working title]