Learning Objective #1: Identify family members' health care activities for clients with chronic renal insufficiency

Learning Objective #2: Recognize family members as one of the subjects for the professional action of nurses

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This study focuses on family members from clients with Chronic Renal Insufficiency (CRI) in hemodialytic treatment, signaling at the importance of their participation in the care aiming the adaptation to a new reality of life. It has as objective: to understand the meaning attributed by significant family members to their participation in the care for the client with CRI in hemodialytic treatment. It was developed through a qualitative research using the phenomenological approach of Alfred Schutz, understanding interaction with the other as a facilitating process to grasp the experience that constitutes constructed reality. The subjects of the research were ten family members pointed out as a significant one in the care by the clients of a hemodialytic center from the state of Espírito Santo (Br). The results allowed identifying the care activities developed by the family members. The phenomenological interview consisted of one central question: what do you have in mind when taking care of a family member with CRI? The statements pointed out at two categories: well-being of the client and wellbeing of the family member. The typical action demonstrated that the care given to the client by the family member aims to attend both the client and family member health care needs. These perspectives support the quality of care through the nurse action in planning health and nursing care directed to the client as to the client's family member, recognizing both of them as subjects of his/her professional action.