Alarm Systems and Emergency Response Flashcards

What does a 'temperature alarm' on a hemodialysis machine indicate, and why is it dangerous?

Answer: The dialysate temperature is outside the 35–38°C range; overheated dialysate causes hemolysis and can be fatal

Dialysate temperature must remain in the 35–38°C range. Dialysate above 42°C causes thermal hemolysis (red blood cell destruction), releasing potassium and causing fatal hyperkalemia. The machine bypasses overheated dialysate to drain automatically.

During an emergency fire evacuation from a dialysis unit, patients connected to machines should be:

Answer: Returned their blood if time allows, disconnected from machines, and evacuated per the facility's emergency plan

Facility emergency evacuation plans prioritize returning blood to minimize patient blood loss, then safe disconnection before evacuation. If immediate danger prevents return of blood, lines are clamped and the patient disconnected. Patient mobility level determines evacuation order.

What action should be taken when the blood pump stops unexpectedly during hemodialysis?

Answer: Assess the circuit immediately for clotting, check all alarms, identify the cause, and restart per protocol if safe to do so

An unexplained blood pump stop requires immediate assessment. The circuit must be inspected for clotting. If the circuit is intact and the cause identified (e.g., power glitch, line kink), the pump can be restarted per protocol. Prolonged stasis leads to circuit clotting.

A dialysis machine's reverse osmosis system fails mid-shift. What is the correct course of action?

Answer: Safely discontinue all treatments using that water supply and notify the biomedical technician and facility manager

RO failure means purified water is no longer available. All treatments dependent on that water supply must be safely discontinued. Using tap water or non-purified water for dialysate preparation is potentially fatal due to chloramine and contaminant exposure.

Which of the following is correct regarding documentation after a hemodialysis-related emergency or adverse event?

Answer: An incident report must be completed in addition to the medical record entry, detailing the event, response, and outcome

Adverse events require both medical record documentation (clinical timeline, interventions) and a facility incident report (root cause, contributing factors). Incident reports are used for quality improvement and regulatory compliance, not as part of the medical record.

When should a dialysis technician call 911 rather than just notifying the charge nurse about a patient emergency?

Answer: When the patient has cardiac arrest, uncontrolled hemorrhage, or is in immediate life-threatening danger that exceeds onsite capabilities

911 should be called for life-threatening emergencies (cardiac arrest, major hemorrhage, respiratory failure, severe anaphylaxis) where immediate advanced medical intervention is required. Internal staff notification alone is insufficient for these events.