When edema and shortness of breath are present, adjusting the treatment plan typically involves:

When edema and shortness of breath are present, adjusting the treatment plan typically involves:

• A. Increasing the target weight
• B. Decreasing the target weight
• C. Stopping dialysis
• D. Increasing dialysate temperature

Answer: (A)

Edema and shortness of breath point to excess fluid in the body. The goal in this situation is to remove more fluid during dialysis, which is done by lowering the post-dialysis target weight. By targeting a lighter weight after treatment, the ultrafiltration amount increases, pulling off the extra fluid and relieving lung congestion and edema. Increasing the target weight would leave more fluid behind and worsen symptoms. Stopping dialysis would not fix the fluid overload and could be harmful. Raising dialysate temperature doesn’t directly address removing the excess fluid and is not the primary adjustment for edema-related symptoms.

Edema and shortness of breath point to excess fluid in the body. The goal in this situation is to remove more fluid during dialysis, which is done by lowering the post-dialysis target weight. By targeting a lighter weight after treatment, the ultrafiltration amount increases, pulling off the extra fluid and relieving lung congestion and edema. Increasing the target weight would leave more fluid behind and worsen symptoms. Stopping dialysis would not fix the fluid overload and could be harmful. Raising dialysate temperature doesn’t directly address removing the excess fluid and is not the primary adjustment for edema-related symptoms.