What is a common post-dialysis complication that nurses should monitor for?

Monitoring for hypotension following dialysis is essential due to the changes in fluid status and the removal of excess fluids from the patient's body. During dialysis, especially in hemodialysis, patients can experience a rapid shift in fluid balance, which can lead to a drop in blood pressure. This condition may arise from several factors such as excessive fluid removal, changes in vascular volume, or underlying cardiovascular issues.

After the session, patients may report feeling light-headed or dizzy, and if hypotension occurs, it may also lead to further complications, including fainting or falling. Nurses should continually assess blood pressure and be prepared to implement strategies like adjusting the dialysis parameters or providing intravenous fluids if hypotension develops.

While nausea, fever, and constipation can occur in patients undergoing dialysis, they are not as immediate and frequent post-dialysis complications as hypotension. Nausea may arise due to various reasons, including dietary issues or underlying medical conditions but does not have the same direct relation to the dialysis process itself as hypotension does.