What is a dialysis patient likely to experience after missing a treatment?

Missing a dialysis treatment can have significant physiological effects on a patient due to the accumulation of toxins and excess fluid in the body. After a missed session, the patient is likely to experience severe fatigue, as the kidneys are unable to adequately remove waste products from the blood. This can lead to an increase in urea and creatinine levels, contributing to feelings of tiredness and lethargy.

Fluid overload is another consequence of skipping dialysis. The dialysis process helps to maintain a proper fluid balance by removing excess fluid that the kidneys can no longer manage effectively. Without this treatment, patients can experience an increase in fluid retention, resulting in symptoms such as swelling, hypertension, and shortness of breath, which exacerbate feelings of fatigue.

Other options may suggest positive outcomes after a missed treatment, such as increased appetite or heightened energy levels, which are not aligned with the physiological realities faced by patients who require regular dialysis. Improved sleep quality also doesn’t accurately reflect the distress and discomfort experienced after missing treatment, as the build-up of toxins and fluid can lead to increased discomfort, disrupting sleep instead. Thus, the accurate representation of the likely experience after missing dialysis is severe fatigue and fluid overload.