BONENT Continuing Dialysis Education (CDC) Practice Exam

Blood pressure can be significantly affected by dialysis treatment, primarily leading to both hypotension and hypertension. During dialysis, the removal of fluid from the body can cause a drop in blood volume, which may result in hypotension, particularly if the fluid is removed too quickly or if the patient is already volume-depleted. This is often observed during the treatment session and can manifest as dizziness, fainting, or other symptoms related to low blood pressure.

On the other hand, hypertension may occur as a result of various factors associated with dialysis. For instance, fluid overload before treatment or inadequate control of fluid intake can lead to elevated blood pressure. Additionally, certain medications used in conjunction with dialysis can also influence blood pressure readings.

Thus, the impact of dialysis on blood pressure is multifaceted, involving both extremes of the spectrum, which makes the correct choice a realistic representation of the physiological responses to the treatment. The other options, while related to health conditions and treatments, do not accurately encapsulate the direct relationship between dialysis and the variations in blood pressure.