Which sign indicates the dialyzer may be clotting?

Which sign indicates the dialyzer may be clotting?

• A. Rising TMP
• B. Infiltration
• C. Elevated dialysate temperature
• D. Dark blood in dialyzer

Answer: (D)

When clots form inside the dialyzer, the blood you see in the dialyzer often looks dark. That dark, impeded blood is a direct sign that the fiber bundle is being obstructed by clotting, which raises resistance to flow and can reduce the dialysis clearance. This visual cue is the most straightforward indicator that the dialyzer itself is clotting, signaling the need to reassess anticoagulation or consider stopping the session if clotting progresses. A rising transmembrane pressure can accompany clotting because resistance is increasing, but it’s not as immediately evident as seeing dark blood inside the dialyzer. Infiltration is related to fluid leaking into tissues, not dialyzer clotting, and an elevated dialysate temperature does not point to clots forming in the dialyzer.

When clots form inside the dialyzer, the blood you see in the dialyzer often looks dark. That dark, impeded blood is a direct sign that the fiber bundle is being obstructed by clotting, which raises resistance to flow and can reduce the dialysis clearance. This visual cue is the most straightforward indicator that the dialyzer itself is clotting, signaling the need to reassess anticoagulation or consider stopping the session if clotting progresses. A rising transmembrane pressure can accompany clotting because resistance is increasing, but it’s not as immediately evident as seeing dark blood inside the dialyzer. Infiltration is related to fluid leaking into tissues, not dialyzer clotting, and an elevated dialysate temperature does not point to clots forming in the dialyzer.