Which condition is most likely to trigger a high venous pressure alarm?

Which condition is most likely to trigger a high venous pressure alarm?

• A. Air in line
• B. Low arterial pressure
• C. Kinking of the venous blood line
• D. Clogged dialyzer

Answer: (C)

High venous pressure indicates resistance in the venous return path. The venous pressure sensor sits in the return line after the dialyzer, so when something narrows or blocks that line, the pressure backing up toward the patient rises and triggers the high venous pressure alarm. A kink in the venous blood line directly creates that downstream resistance, making it the most likely cause among the options. Air in the line would trigger an air/bubble alarm; low arterial pressure points to problems in the arterial side or patient condition; a clogged dialyzer tends to raise pressures differently and isn’t as specifically tied to a high venous pressure alarm as a kink in the venous line.

High venous pressure indicates resistance in the venous return path. The venous pressure sensor sits in the return line after the dialyzer, so when something narrows or blocks that line, the pressure backing up toward the patient rises and triggers the high venous pressure alarm. A kink in the venous blood line directly creates that downstream resistance, making it the most likely cause among the options.

Air in the line would trigger an air/bubble alarm; low arterial pressure points to problems in the arterial side or patient condition; a clogged dialyzer tends to raise pressures differently and isn’t as specifically tied to a high venous pressure alarm as a kink in the venous line.