What is one of the most important pre-dialysis assessments?

Measuring the patient's weight is a crucial pre-dialysis assessment because it helps establish a baseline for the patient's fluid status and informs treatment decisions. In hemodialysis, patients can experience significant fluctuations in their weight due to fluid retention. Before starting a session, weighing the patient allows the technician to assess how much excess fluid needs to be removed during dialysis.

Weight measurements can also indicate the effectiveness of the patient's fluid management between dialysis sessions. If a patient's weight has increased substantially, it may suggest fluid overload, which can lead to complications such as hypertension and cardiovascular issues during dialysis. Conversely, a significant weight loss could indicate dehydration. Therefore, accurate weight measurement is essential to guide treatment and ensure patient safety during the hemodialysis process.