Why is it important to assess the patient's dry weight before a hemodialysis session?

Assessing the patient's dry weight before a hemodialysis session is crucial because it helps avoid fluid overload and determines the optimal target weight. Dry weight refers to the weight of a patient after excess fluid from dialysis has been removed and represents their normal, stable weight without fluids retained from treatments or dietary intake.

Achieving the correct dry weight is essential for several reasons. If a patient is above their dry weight, it indicates they may be holding excess fluid, which can lead to complications such as hypertension, heart failure, or pulmonary edema. Conversely, if a patient is below their dry weight, it may result in hypotension or other issues related to low blood volume during dialysis. Therefore, accurately determining the dry weight enables healthcare providers to tailor the dialysis treatment to the individual’s needs, ensuring both safety and efficacy.

This assessment is not fundamentally connected to the dressing of the access site, the effectiveness of medications, or gauging the patient’s emotional state, which are other important aspects of patient care but not directly related to the primary goal of maintaining optimal fluid balance prior to treatment.