Dialysis Room Review

Prior to the patient coming into the dialysis room, the machine is set up. The nurse sets the rates according to the doctor’s order. She hangs a bag of normal saline and ensures that the potassium bath is correct. This bath, which looks like a clear gallon of milk, is prepared by placing a tube from the machine inside the top of the lid. The artificial kidney, dialyzer, is then placed on the side of the machine and the nurse hooks the tubing up. The nurse then assures that all of the tubes are ready for the patient to begin shortly after they sit down. The receptionists then take the patient from the waiting room to their designated chair. The patient takes a seat in the recliner and gets comfortable. The nurse begins preparing the skin for dialysis. This consists of cleaning the site for a minimum of two minutes with small soap/water wipes, betadine, and an alcohol wipe. The nurse is then able to insert the first needle. Once it is inserted, she secures the needle, then …show more content…
This includes checking for any redness, drainage, swelling, or pain. The nurse also assesses for a bulge. This bulge is common is the needle is placed in the same spot every dialysis session. If there is a bulge, it should not have shiny skin or oozing blood. The nurse palpate for a pulse, this may or may not be present. If the pulse is strong this may be a sign of something blocking the blood flow. Last, the nurse palpates for a thrill, while is a normal finding. Once the assessment is complete, the nurse inserts two large bore needles for the dialysis process. One pulls blood from circulation to the machine, while the other returns the blood to the patient’s body. The patient received a bolus and a flush of heparin to help prevent clotting. After the process is complete, the nurse takes the needles out and holds pressure. A device called the super stopper may be used to help hold pressure on the site to stop the