Dialysis Nursing Flashcards

A hemodialysis patient's access site shows redness, warmth, and purulent drainage. What is the priority nursing action?

Answer: Notify the physician and obtain cultures before starting antibiotics

Signs of access infection require prompt physician notification and cultures before antibiotic initiation to guide targeted therapy.

Which electrolyte imbalance most commonly causes muscle cramps during hemodialysis?

Answer: Hypocalcemia

Hypocalcemia during dialysis causes neuromuscular irritability leading to muscle cramps.

A peritoneal dialysis patient develops cloudy effluent with abdominal pain and fever. The most likely diagnosis is:

Answer: Peritonitis

Cloudy effluent with abdominal pain and fever is the classic triad of peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis.

When calculating Kt/V for hemodialysis adequacy, what does 'K' represent?

Answer: Urea clearance of the dialyzer

In the Kt/V formula, K represents the dialyzer's urea clearance rate in mL/min.

A dialysis patient's pre-treatment blood pressure is 85/50 mmHg. The appropriate nursing action is to:

Answer: Hold dialysis and notify the physician

Symptomatic hypotension before dialysis initiation requires physician notification before proceeding with treatment.

The target hemoglobin range for most dialysis patients receiving erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) per KDIGO guidelines is:

Answer: 10–11.5 g/dL

KDIGO guidelines recommend maintaining hemoglobin between 10–11.5 g/dL to balance anemia correction with cardiovascular risk.

Which finding during the arteriovenous fistula assessment indicates adequate maturation for cannulation?

Answer: Fistula diameter ≥ 6 mm with flow ≥ 600 mL/min at 6 weeks

A mature fistula should have a diameter of at least 6 mm and blood flow of at least 600 mL/min, typically assessed at 6 weeks post-creation.