title: Functional ability of patients on dialysis: the critical role of anemia.
abstract: Maintining hemoglobin (Hb) levels in the range (11 to 12 g/dL) recommended by the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Disease Quality Initiative (NKF/KDOQI) has been shown to significantly improve functional ability in patients on dialysis. The combination of partial anemia correction and an individualized exercise program yields additional incremental benefits. Nurses fulfill a crucial role in ensuring that appropriate Hb levels are maintained while at the same time encouraging patients to improve their physical conditioning and functional status.
authors.affiliation: Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: Randee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Breiterman-White
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing*; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000379:methods