AEMCA Practice Exam

Which of the following is considered a dialysis emergency?

1. Severe hyperkalemia

2. Headache

3. Vision changes

4. Anxiety

The correct answer is: Severe hyperkalemia

Severe hyperkalemia is classified as a dialysis emergency because it presents a life-threatening condition that can lead to serious complications, including cardiac arrest. In patients with kidney failure, the kidneys are unable to excrete enough potassium, leading to elevated levels in the bloodstream. High potassium levels can significantly affect the heart's electrical activity, potentially resulting in dangerous arrhythmias. Immediate intervention is often required, which can involve dialysis to rapidly remove excess potassium from the body, as well as other treatments such as administration of calcium gluconate or insulin to stabilize the patient’s condition. In contrast, headaches, vision changes, and anxiety can occur during dialysis but do not typically require emergency intervention. While these symptoms may need attention, they are not immediately life-threatening and can often be managed with adjustments in treatment or medication rather than immediate emergency care. Thus, because severe hyperkalemia poses a direct threat to a patient's health and demands urgent treatment, it is recognized as a dialysis emergency.