Ace the CCHT Challenge 2025 – Dialysis Dreams Begin Here!

Before beginning hemodialysis treatment, it is crucial to assess the vascular access patency. Vascular access is the point at which blood is drawn from the patient and then returned after treatment. Ensuring that this access is patent—meaning there are no blockages or issues with the flow—is essential for a successful treatment session. If the access is not functioning correctly, it could lead to complications such as inadequate dialysis, which can put the patient’s health at risk. This check typically involves listening for a bruit (sound) and feeling for a thrill (vibration), which indicate that the access is working properly.

Other considerations like blood sugar levels, patient weight, and BMI, and dialysate temperature, while important in their contexts, do not directly impact the immediate readiness for hemodialysis as critically as vascular access. A patient may need their blood sugar monitored for overall health management, and weight is often checked to assess fluid status and determine ultrafiltration goals. Meanwhile, dialysate temperature is necessary for the comfort and efficacy of treatment but does not affect whether treatment can start safely, unlike the assessment of vascular access.