Dialysis Technician Practice Exam

What action should be taken when plasma bicarbonate levels are low?

1. Stop dialysis immediately

2. Increase bicarbonate concentration in dialysate

3. Lower the dialysis flow rate

4. Adjust the fluid removal rate

The correct answer is: Increase bicarbonate concentration in dialysate

When plasma bicarbonate levels are low, increasing the bicarbonate concentration in the dialysate is the appropriate action to take. Bicarbonate is a crucial buffer that helps maintain acid-base balance in the body. During dialysis, the dialysate composition can be adjusted to address imbalances in the patient's plasma levels. By raising the bicarbonate concentration in the dialysate, the dialysis process can help correct the patient's low bicarbonate levels more effectively. This adjustment enhances the exchange of bicarbonate between the dialysate and the patient's blood, promoting a more balanced acid-base status. Other potential actions, such as stopping dialysis or adjusting micro-level parameters like flow rate and fluid removal, do not directly address the issue of low bicarbonate levels and may disrupt the overall treatment protocol. Therefore, the most effective and targeted response to low bicarbonate levels is to increase its concentration in the dialysate.