Abstract
Objective: To know the practices of self-care among chronic kidney patients for the preservation of arteriovenous fistula. Methods: This is a field research with a descriptive scope, with a qualitative approach, using the interview technique with a semi-structured script in a hemodialysis clinic in a city in the northern region of Brazil. Results: From the perspective of self-care, two thematic categories emerged: feelings and difficulties experienced by patients with arteriovenous fistula and self-care strategies for maintaining the fistula. Patients report fear of loss of fistula and difficulties faced in the social and family environment due to concerns about the other's view of their new health conditions. Despite understanding the importance of self-care, they forget about the fistula in the affected limb and perform activities that require the use of physical strength, limiting their activities of daily living. Conclusion: It is evident that even with knowledge on the subject, patients showed failures in prioritizing self-care and nurses have a fundamental role in care. The findings presented encouraged the researchers to develop an educational tool that aims to collaborate with self-care practices and increase the quality of life of these patients.