CDN Dialysis Complications and Emergency Management

Question 1

A patient on hemodialysis suddenly develops nausea, headache, and altered consciousness near the end of treatment. What condition should the nurse suspect?

Accepted Answer

Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome

Answer

Air embolism

Answer

Hemolysis

Answer

Hypersensitivity reaction

Question 2

What is the first action when an air embolism is suspected during hemodialysis?

Accepted Answer

Administer 100% oxygen and clamp the venous line

Answer

Increase blood flow rate

Answer

Notify the physician and continue dialysis

Answer

Reduce ultrafiltration immediately

Question 3

A patient develops pink-tinged blood in the dialysate port during hemodialysis. What does this most likely indicate?

Accepted Answer

Dialyzer membrane leak

Answer

Air embolism

Answer

Heparin overdose

Answer

Hypersensitivity reaction type A

Question 4

Intradialytic hypotension is most effectively prevented by which of the following interventions?

Accepted Answer

Limiting the ultrafiltration rate to ≤13 mL/kg/hour

Answer

Increasing the dialysate temperature

Answer

Using a higher sodium dialysate concentration

Answer

Administering IV albumin before each session

Question 5

Which set of symptoms is most consistent with a Type A hypersensitivity reaction to the dialyzer?

Accepted Answer

Burning, flushing, dyspnea, and anaphylaxis in the first few minutes

Answer

Chest pain, back pain, and pink dialysate

Answer

Fever, chills, and rigors 30 minutes into dialysis

Answer

Hypotension, nausea, and muscle cramps mid-treatment

Question 6

A patient receiving hemodialysis develops severe chest pain and dyspnea. The nurse suspects hemolysis. What is the characteristic appearance of the blood in the extracorporeal circuit?

Accepted Answer

Cherry-red, translucent blood

Answer

Dark maroon, thick blood

Answer

Bright red, frothy blood

Answer

Pale pink, watery blood