What complication is associated with a saline bag left unclamped during dialysis?

When a saline bag is left unclamped during dialysis, it can lead to dialyzer clotting. This occurs because the continuous flow of saline into the blood circuit can dilute the blood in the dialyzer but may also disrupt the delicate balance of anticoagulation that is required to prevent clotting. In dialysis, maintaining an appropriate anticoagulation level is critical to prevent blood from coagulating inside the dialyzer, which could lead to reduced efficacy of the treatment and potentially harm the patient. If blood begins to clot within the dialyzer, it compromises the filtration process, reducing the clearance of waste products from the blood, and can pose serious risks for the patient, including increasing the pressure in the dialyzer and leading to potential equipment failure. Therefore, ensuring the saline bag is clamped properly is crucial in avoiding this complication.