Hemodialysis
Everything you need to know
How it works!
Time Requirements
Toxins
Excess Water
Vascular Access
Taking care of your fistula
Safety Considerations
Daily lifestyle changes should also be made when on hemodialysis. Smoking contributes to the progression of kidney failure. The consumption of alcohol should also be limited or prohibited because this can cause complications with dialysis and the body.
During the hemodialysis process the nurse will be assessing vital signs, and the overall condition of the patient. The nurse will also assess the vascular site for the presence of a thrill. The nurse will also be recording weight, they do this so they can keep track of how much water the patient is retaining. During hemodialysis the nurse will also keep watch of the machine to make sure that everything is running correctly. The nurse will also assess lab values before and after treatment.
Diet
If these diet changes are ignored life threatening things can occur like hyperkalemia (elevated potassium), hypertension (high blood pressure), and pulmonary edema.
Medications
During dialysis an anticoagulant heparin is administered to help keep the blood from clotting. This allows the blood to be thinner and filter through the dialysis machine easier.
Resources
Life Threatening Emergencies in the Renal Failure and Dialysis Patient. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2016, from file:///C:/Users/Kayla Merrill/Downloads/hemodialysis emergencies-2011.pdf
Pellico, L. H. (2013). Focus on adult health: Medical-surgical nursing. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Dietary Guidelines for Adults Starting on Hemodialysis. (2015). Retrieved April 02, 2016, from https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/dietary_hemodialysis
Dietary Guidelines for Adults Starting on Hemodialysis. (2015). Retrieved April 03, 2016, from https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/dietary_hemodialysis