What is a common action if a patient develops fever during dialysis?

• A. Notify the physician, assess for infection, and initiate appropriate isolation precautions and treatment as ordered.
• B. Stop dialysis permanently.
• C. Increase ultrafiltration.
• D. Administer antihistamines.

Answer: (A)

Fever during dialysis is a warning sign that infection or an inflammatory reaction may be developing, and it demands prompt, coordinated action. The best course is to notify the physician right away, assess the patient for infection, and initiate isolation precautions and treatment as ordered. This approach gets the right clinician involved to determine the cause and start appropriate therapy, such as cultures and antibiotics if indicated. Assessing for infection means checking vital signs trends, looking for rigors or hypotension, and inspecting the access site for signs of local infection. Initiating isolation precautions helps protect other patients and staff while the infection status is clarified. Following the physician’s orders for treatment ensures any interventions—antibiotics, fluids, or adjustments to dialysis care—are appropriate and timely. Dialysis may continue if the patient remains stable and orders permit; actions like stopping dialysis permanently, increasing ultrafiltration, or giving antihistamines do not address a potential infection and could worsen the situation.