The nurse is caring for a client who is receiving hemodialysis and has symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and a headache. Which of the following actions is priority?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The client's symptoms suggest disequilibrium syndrome, which is a rare complication of modern HD and develops as a result of very rapid changes in the composition of the extracellular fluid. Urea, sodium, and other solutes are removed more rapidly from the blood than from the cerebro-spinal fluid and the brain. This creates a high osmotic gradient in the brain resulting in the shift of fluid into the brain, causing cerebral edema. Manifestations include nausea, vomiting, confusion, restlessness, headaches, twitching and jerking, and seizures. Treatment consists of slowing or stopping dialysis and infusing hypertonic saline solution, albumin, or mannitol to draw fluid from the brain cells back into the systemic circulation.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Client Who Is Receiving