What hazard does air in the dialysis circuit pose, and how is it prevented?

• A. Infection risk; prevent with sterile technique
• B. Air embolism risk; prevent with proper priming and continuous monitoring of the air detector
• C. Electrolyte imbalance risk; prevent with electrolyte management
• D. Hypotension risk; prevent with slower UF

Answer: (B)

Air in the dialysis circuit is dangerous because it can form bubbles that travel to the patient and cause an air embolism, which can block blood vessels and damage organs. Preventing this relies on thorough priming of the circuit with saline to remove all air and on continuous monitoring with the machine’s air detector, which stops the blood pump if air is detected. If air is found, the system is halted and the air is carefully removed before resuming. Keeping line connections tight, priming before each connection, and watching for any air during treatment are essential. Other listed risks—infection from nonsterile technique, electrolyte imbalance from improper dialysate composition, and hypotension from too-rapid fluid removal—are real concerns in dialysis but not the hazard caused by air in the circuit.