Renal Disorders/Dialysis & Quiz Database Inquiries and Solutions (Latest Release)

The client being hemodialyzed suddenly becomes short of breath and complains of chest pain. The client is tachycardic, pale, and anxious. The nurse suspects air embolism. The priority action for the nurse is to: a. Discontinue dialysis and notify the physician. b. Monitor vital signs every 15 minutes for the next hour. c. Continue dialysis at a slower rate after checking the lines for air. d. Bolus the client with 500 mL of normal saline to break up the embolus. A If the client experiences air embolus during hemodialysis, the nurse should terminate dialysis immediately, notify the physician, and administer oxygen as needed. Options 2, 3, and 4 are incorrect. The nurse has completed client teaching with the hemodialysis client about selfmonitoring between hemodialysis treatments. The nurse determines that the client best understands the information if the client states to record daily the: