Final answer:
If a patient experiences blurred vision and dizziness during dialysis, a caregiver should evaluate for hypokalemia, an electrolyte imbalance caused by low potassium levels in the blood which can affect muscle function and heart rhythms. Dialysis can lead to such imbalances, making monitoring electrolytes crucial.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the final thirty minutes of dialysis, if a patient complains of blurred vision and dizziness, the caregiver should evaluate for signs of hypokalemia. Potassium is a critical electrolyte, and its balance is essential for normal cell function. Hypokalemia refers to lower-than-normal potassium levels in the blood, which can lead to symptoms such as weakness, arrhythmias, and the symptoms reported by the patient, like blurred vision and dizziness.
While dialysis is a life-saving procedure for patients with kidney failure or chronic kidney disease (CKD), it can sometimes lead to electrolyte imbalances, including hypokalemia. This is due to the filtering process that removes waste and excess substances from the blood, including potassium. Normal potassium levels are vital for muscle function, including the muscles of the heart, and maintaining a balance within the body's cells. In the context of kidney failure, without proper dialysis, a patient might experience metabolic acidosis, heart arrhythmias, and rising potassium levels, which can be life-threatening. Therefore, the careful monitoring of electrolyte levels is critical during and after dialysis treatments to prevent complications such as hypokalemia.