Final answer:
The first action a nurse should take when a patient on hemodialysis experiences nausea and dizziness is to check the patient's blood pressure. This step is essential for assessing the patient's immediate condition and determining the appropriate course of action.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a patient undergoing hemodialysis complains of nausea and dizziness, the nurse's first action should be to check the patient's blood pressure. These symptoms can be indicative of various complications, including a drop in blood pressure that may occur during the procedure. Monitoring blood pressure is critical, as it provides immediate information about the patient's hemodynamic status and can guide further interventions. If the blood pressure is low, the rate of dialysis might need to be adjusted to alleviate the patient's symptoms. Obtaining a blood sample to check the BUN level, administering antiemetic drugs, or adjusting the rate of dialysis may follow based on the patient's blood pressure and overall condition under the direct supervision of a registered nurse.
Conditions such as dehydration and diarrhoea may contribute to uremia by causing hemoconcentration and affecting the glomerular filtration rate. Ulcerative colitis, which involves chloride loss, can also influence blood urea levels. Blood urea levels are an important indicator of renal function and can increase pre-renally, renally, or post-renally.