What should a technician check first if a patient presents with excessive weight gain before dialysis?

When a patient presents with excessive weight gain before dialysis, checking vital signs is typically the first action a technician should take. Vital signs provide immediate and essential information about the patient's overall health and can indicate potential complications. For instance, significant weight gain may suggest fluid overload, which can lead to elevated blood pressure and heart rate. Assessing these vital signs allows the technician to identify whether the patient is experiencing symptoms that need urgent attention, such as hypertension or signs of congestive heart failure.

In this specific situation, while monitoring blood glucose levels, I.V. fluid balance, and dialysate concentration are important considerations for the patient's care, they follow the assessment of vital signs as they do not provide immediate insight into the patient's current physiological state. The vital signs can guide subsequent evaluations and interventions, ensuring that any critical conditions are addressed promptly before initiating dialysis.