[Self-care of arteriovenous fistula by patients with chronic renal failure].

This descriptive study aimed at identifying care of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) performed patients under hemodialysis. Twenty one hemodialysis patients were randomly selected in a clinic in Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil: 11 female and 11 male patients, age between 30 and 50 year -old, and most were single, retired, and had low education level. Semi-structured interview was applied. The following procedures were mentioned: cleaning the fistula arm, thrill palpation, avoiding lifting weight with AVF arm, arterial pressure checks, taking medication, and blood collection. It was considered that the patients learnt to adapt themselves to the limitations imposed by chronic kidney failure on their lives.