Hemolysis

Question 1

What is Hemolysis?

Answer 1

The rupture of red blood cells

Question 2

What are the causes?

Answer 2

Hypotonic dialysate, dialysate temperature too high, chlorine/chloramines, exposure to disinfectant, failure of conductivity meter, blood pump not calibrated properly

Question 3

What are the symptoms?

Answer 3

Cherry red blood, anxiety, restlessness, N/V, abdominal cramping back pain, chest tightness/dyspnea, seizures, dysrhythmias, thready pulse, hyper/hypotension

Question 4

What is the intervention?

Answer 4

Stop blood pump, clamp lines, do not return blood, licensed nurse assesses patient and notifies physician, administer 02, monitor vital signs and cardiac rhythm, check hemoglobin and potassium

Question 5

How can you prevent it?

Answer 5

Arterial pressure monitoring, compatible needle gauge and BFR orders, conductivity monitoring, chlorine/chloramine and residual sterilant tests, equipment testing/preventative maintenance