This article aims to present the main action and interaction strategies that patients with chronic kidney disease use to cope with peritoneal dialysis. Symbolic Interactionism was chosen as the theoretical framework, as it values the meaning of interaction as a determinant of human behavior. Grounded Theory was used as the methodological framework. Data was collected using a semi-structured interview script. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded and organized to comprise the explanatory theory for the phenomenon studied. Several resources used by the clients were identified during the analysis, such as their need to obtain information about peritoneal dialysis, their refuge in spirituality, and the delusion of a cure. The importance of a support network is highlighted, in which nurses may work as facilitators of the coping process, in order to help patients to adapt to their new context.
Nursing; Peritoneal dialysis; Nursing Care
