Patient Assessment and Monitoring in Dialysis Flashcards
7 cards from real CHT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Assessment and Monitoring in Dialysis flashcards as text
What is the acceptable pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure range that typically allows hemodialysis treatment to proceed without intervention?
Answer: 90–180 mmHg
Most dialysis centers allow treatment when pre-dialysis systolic BP is between 90–180 mmHg; values outside this range require nursing assessment before proceeding.
Which vital sign change most commonly signals the onset of intradialytic hypotension during hemodialysis?
Answer: Drop in systolic blood pressure of ≥20 mmHg accompanied by symptoms
Intradialytic hypotension is clinically defined as a drop in systolic BP of ≥20 mmHg associated with symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or muscle cramps.
What is the primary clinical purpose of establishing a patient's 'dry weight' in hemodialysis?
Answer: To determine the target post-dialysis weight and guide the amount of fluid removal
Dry weight (target weight) is the post-dialysis weight at which the patient is considered euvolemic, guiding the ultrafiltration goal for each treatment.
Which patient symptom during hemodialysis requires the technician to immediately notify the supervising nurse?
Answer: Sudden onset of chest pain and shortness of breath
Chest pain and shortness of breath during dialysis may indicate life-threatening complications such as air embolism, cardiac event, or pulmonary embolism requiring immediate nursing intervention.
During routine hemodialysis, how frequently should vital signs be monitored at a minimum to meet standard practice requirements?
Answer: Every 30 minutes throughout the entire treatment
Standard dialysis practice requires vital signs to be assessed at minimum every 30 minutes throughout treatment to enable early detection of complications.
Which vascular access assessment finding before cannulation is most concerning and should prompt notification of the nurse before proceeding?
Answer: Absence of bruit on auscultation over the access site
Absence of the expected bruit (and thrill) over an AV fistula suggests possible thrombosis or access failure, which requires nursing evaluation before cannulation.
A patient's pre-dialysis weight is 75 kg and their established dry weight is 73 kg. What is the patient's interdialytic weight gain?
Answer: 2 kg
Interdialytic weight gain is calculated as pre-dialysis weight minus dry weight: 75 kg − 73 kg = 2 kg, representing fluid accumulated since the last treatment.