Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:46 AM AWST
22/07/2026 10:46 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Support the client with chronic kidney disease
Support the client with chronic kidney disease
Unit of competency
National Code
HLTRNL601C
HLTRNL601C
State Code
WD277
WD277
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
12/08/2014
Field of Education
060301 - General Nursing
Original Release Date
12/08/2014
Nominal Hours
55
Description
DescriptorThis unit of competency describes the knowledge and skills required to support the client undergoing the physical and psychosocial influences and stages as chronic kidney disease (CKD) progresses
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Assess the educational needs of the client in regards to the impact of CKD
- 1.1 Work with a knowledge of the various clinical manifestations of CKD and associated pathophysiology of each manifestation
- 1.2 Identify and discuss with the client common problems and complications associated with CKD, focusing on the client's specific contributing factors
- 1.3 Discuss with the client the psychosocial impact of CKD on their activities of daily living
- 1.4 Ascertain and respect client needs in relation to lifestyle, social context, emotional and spiritual choices
- 1.5 Communicate effectively with the client, their significant others and other members of the health care team
- 1.6 Clarify the educational needs of the client with CKD in terms of the CKD stages, required care and the client's self-management strategies
- 1.7 Support the client and significant others to ensure their freedom to discuss spiritual and cultural issues in an open and non-judgemental way within scope of work role and responsibilities
2. Contribute to providing education to the client with CKD
- 2.1 Provide information and resources to the client and their significant others on the aetiology and pathophysiology of the stages of CKD within scope of work role and responsibilities
- 2.2 Provide the client with relevant information to assist in maintaining their health status and slowing disease progression
- 2.3 Provide information and support to the client to assist them establish and maintain an appropriate diet
- 2.4 Provide the client with access to appropriate health education resources on CKD and renal replacement therapy
- 2.5 Support the client to access information about treatment options, so that they can make an informed treatment choice
- 2.6 Communicate effectively with the client, their significant others and health care team members to clarify the needs of the client in terms of the stages of the disease, including end of life discussion, and the care required, and refer to other members of the health care team to meet those needs
- 2.7 In consultation with the health care team contribute to advanced care planning to identify and meet the changing needs of the client
- 2.8 Monitor changes to advanced care directives as they are reviewed regularly by appropriate staff members and support implementation of these changes
3. Contribute to determining the health status of the client with CKD
- 3.1 Perform a holistic primary health care assessment of the client in consultation/collaboration with the registered nurse
- 3.2 Monitor health status of the client to identify disease progression, report changes, and where appropriate, refer in accordance with scope of work role and organisation guidelines
- 3.3 Identify psychosocial impacts of common conditions and complications experienced by a client with a kidney condition, discuss with the client and refer, if required, for counselling or assistance in accordance with scope of work role and organisation guidelines
- 3.4 Work with an awareness of the psychosocial impact of palliative care on a client's family and significant others
- 3.5 In consultation with the health care team contribute to effective plans of care for clients with CKD
4. Assist the client to develop self-management strategies
- 4.1 Assist the client to self-manage the various clinical manifestations and common problems associated with CKD
- 4.2 Assist the client to maintain optimal health status
- 4.3 Assist the client to adhere to care management strategies and medical management regime of CKD
RANGE STATEMENT
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Clients may include:
Adolescent
Adult
CKD conditions may include:
Diabetic nephropathy
Glomerulonephritis
Hypertensive nephropathy
Polycystic kidney disease
Reflux nephropathy
Kidney stones
Clinical manifestations of CKD may include:
Hypertension
Anaemia
Bone disease
Cardiovascular disease
Impaired immunity
Electrolyte imbalance
Fluid imbalance
Common problems and complications associated with CKD may include:
Uraemic breath
Unusual or metallic taste
Anorexia
Nausea and vomiting
Lethargy
Change in urination
Confusion
Pain
Increase in depression
Stages in grief and loss
Sexual dysfunction
General malaise
Cardiovascular events
Infections
Uraemic frost
Pruritus
Restless leg syndrome
Significant others may include:
Family
Carer
Friend
Members of the health care team may include:
Enrolled/Division 2 nurse
Registered nurse
Nurse practitioner
General practitioner
Renal physician
Chronic disease management team
Dietitian
Social worker
Pharmacist
Podiatrist
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health worker
Client's self-management strategies include:
The knowledge and life long commitment to:
healthy life style
exercise
renal diet
fluid requirements
medication regime
care of dialysis access
recognising progressive symptoms of CKD
vaccination regime
diabetes care
cardiovascular disease care
dental care
optometry care
skin care
Information may include:
Normal structure and function of the urinary and cardiovascular systems.
Causes of CKD
Need for ongoing routine health assessments by health professionals
Explanation of interventional and investigational procedures
blood tests
x-rays
abdominal ultrasounds
Early and late physical symptoms of CKD
CKD treatment options
The importance of vaccinations
Factors that can slow the progression of CKD
Scope of work role refers to:
Enrolled/Division 2 nurses
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health workers
Advanced care planning refers to:
The process of preparing for likely scenarios near end of life and usually includes assessment of, and dialogue about, a person's understanding of their medical history and condition, values, preferences and personal and family resources. Advanced care planning elements are the written directive and an appointment of a substitute decision maker
Access through state and territory legislation or guidelines on advanced care planning
Advanced care directive refers to:
Sometimes called a 'living will', an advanced care directive describes one's future preferences for medical treatment and becomes effective in situations where the client no longer has capacity to make legal decisionsSpecifically, it contains instructions that consent to, or refuse, the future use of specified medical treatments.
Access through state and territory legislation or guidelines on advanced care planning
One component of the broader advanced care planning processDocumenting advanced care directives is not compulsory as the person may choose to verbally communicate their wishes to the doctor or family, or appoint a substitute decision maker to make decisions on their behalf
Examples of advanced care directives are:
Medical treatment preference, including those influenced by religious or other values and beliefs
Particular conditions or states that the person would find unacceptable should these be the likely result of applying life-sustaining treatment, for example, severe brain injury with no capacity to communicate or self-care
How far treatment should go when the client's condition is 'terminal', 'incurable' or 'irreversible' (depending on terminology used in specific forms)
The wishes of someone without relatives to act as their 'person responsible' in the event they became incompetent or where there is no-one that person would want to make such decisions on their behalf
Holistic primary health care assessment may include:
Physical health status:
blood pressure, pulse, respirations
urinalysis
protein creatinine ratio
girth measurement
weight
Social needs:
sickness benefits
family support
transport to appointments
accommodation
Psychological and cultural needs
Monitor health status may include:
Urinalysis
Blood pressure, pulse and respirations
Review pathology results from routine blood tests
Identifying changes in client's weight
Identifying signs and symptoms that may indicate changes in health status
Psychosocial impacts may include:
Depression
Stages of grief and loss
Lethargy
Sexual dysfunction
Sleep disorders
Changes to relationships within the family unit
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Clients may include:
Adolescent
Adult
CKD conditions may include:
Diabetic nephropathy
Glomerulonephritis
Hypertensive nephropathy
Polycystic kidney disease
Reflux nephropathy
Kidney stones
Clinical manifestations of CKD may include:
Hypertension
Anaemia
Bone disease
Cardiovascular disease
Impaired immunity
Electrolyte imbalance
Fluid imbalance
Common problems and complications associated with CKD may include:
Uraemic breath
Unusual or metallic taste
Anorexia
Nausea and vomiting
Lethargy
Change in urination
Confusion
Pain
Increase in depression
Stages in grief and loss
Sexual dysfunction
General malaise
Cardiovascular events
Infections
Uraemic frost
Pruritus
Restless leg syndrome
Significant others may include:
Family
Carer
Friend
Members of the health care team may include:
Enrolled/Division 2 nurse
Registered nurse
Nurse practitioner
General practitioner
Renal physician
Chronic disease management team
Dietitian
Social worker
Pharmacist
Podiatrist
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health worker
Client's self-management strategies include:
The knowledge and life long commitment to:
healthy life style
exercise
renal diet
fluid requirements
medication regime
care of dialysis access
recognising progressive symptoms of CKD
vaccination regime
diabetes care
cardiovascular disease care
dental care
optometry care
skin care
Information may include:
Normal structure and function of the urinary and cardiovascular systems.
Causes of CKD
Need for ongoing routine health assessments by health professionals
Explanation of interventional and investigational procedures
blood tests
x-rays
abdominal ultrasounds
Early and late physical symptoms of CKD
CKD treatment options
The importance of vaccinations
Factors that can slow the progression of CKD
Scope of work role refers to:
Enrolled/Division 2 nurses
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health workers
Advanced care planning refers to:
The process of preparing for likely scenarios near end of life and usually includes assessment of, and dialogue about, a person's understanding of their medical history and condition, values, preferences and personal and family resources. Advanced care planning elements are the written directive and an appointment of a substitute decision maker
Access through state and territory legislation or guidelines on advanced care planning
Advanced care directive refers to:
Sometimes called a 'living will', an advanced care directive describes one's future preferences for medical treatment and becomes effective in situations where the client no longer has capacity to make legal decisionsSpecifically, it contains instructions that consent to, or refuse, the future use of specified medical treatments.
Access through state and territory legislation or guidelines on advanced care planning
One component of the broader advanced care planning processDocumenting advanced care directives is not compulsory as the person may choose to verbally communicate their wishes to the doctor or family, or appoint a substitute decision maker to make decisions on their behalf
Examples of advanced care directives are:
Medical treatment preference, including those influenced by religious or other values and beliefs
Particular conditions or states that the person would find unacceptable should these be the likely result of applying life-sustaining treatment, for example, severe brain injury with no capacity to communicate or self-care
How far treatment should go when the client's condition is 'terminal', 'incurable' or 'irreversible' (depending on terminology used in specific forms)
The wishes of someone without relatives to act as their 'person responsible' in the event they became incompetent or where there is no-one that person would want to make such decisions on their behalf
Holistic primary health care assessment may include:
Physical health status:
blood pressure, pulse, respirations
urinalysis
protein creatinine ratio
girth measurement
weight
Social needs:
sickness benefits
family support
transport to appointments
accommodation
Psychological and cultural needs
Monitor health status may include:
Urinalysis
Blood pressure, pulse and respirations
Review pathology results from routine blood tests
Identifying changes in client's weight
Identifying signs and symptoms that may indicate changes in health status
Psychosocial impacts may include:
Depression
Stages of grief and loss
Lethargy
Sexual dysfunction
Sleep disorders
Changes to relationships within the family unit
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Candidates must demonstrate their ability to apply essential knowledge identified for this unit of competency before undertaking workplace application
Observation of performance in a work context is essential for assessment of this unit of competency
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions
Method of assessment
Observation in the workplace
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning - verbal and written
Role play
Access and equity considerations
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Candidates must demonstrate their ability to apply essential knowledge identified for this unit of competency before undertaking workplace application
Observation of performance in a work context is essential for assessment of this unit of competency
Consistency of performance should be demonstrated over the required range of workplace situations and should occur on more than one occasion
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is most appropriately assessed in the clinical workplace and under the normal range of clinical environment conditions
Method of assessment
Observation in the workplace
Written assignments/projects
Case study and scenario as a basis for discussion of issues and strategies to contribute to best practice
Questioning - verbal and written
Role play
Access and equity considerations
All workers in the health industry should be aware of access and equity issues in relation to their own area of work
All workers should develop their ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
In recognition of particular health issues facing Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, workers should be aware of cultural, historical and current issues impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
Assessors and trainers must take into account relevant access and equity issues, in particular relating to factors impacting on health of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and communities
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| D8488 | HLTRNL601B | Support the client with chronic kidney disease | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AVZ39 | HLTRNL001 | Support a person with chronic kidney disease | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| J585 | HLT50213 | Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice | Qualification |
| D111 | HLT61107 | Advanced Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled/Division 2 nursing) | Qualification |