DaVita In-Center Hemodialysis (ICHD) Nurse/PCT Practice Exam and Study Guide

During hemodialysis, the removal of excess fluid from the bloodstream is a critical component of the treatment. Patients with kidney failure often retain fluid due to impaired fluid balance, leading to complications such as hypertension. When excess fluid is removed during dialysis, it can lead to a decrease in blood volume, which in turn can cause hypotension.

As fluid is filtered out of the blood, the remaining blood volume may decrease to the point where there is insufficient circulating blood to maintain normal blood pressure. This condition can be exacerbated if the fluid removal rate is too rapid or if the patient is volume depleted prior to dialysis. Thus, while the purpose of fluid removal is to improve the patient's condition, if not managed carefully, it can lead to dangerously low blood pressure during the procedure.