A technician notices a patient has a noticeable increase in swelling since their last treatment. What should the technician do?

Notifying the nurse immediately is the appropriate response in this situation because a noticeable increase in swelling could indicate fluid overload or other complications that require immediate medical attention. Swelling, specifically peripheral edema, can be a sign of cardiovascular issues or ineffective fluid removal during dialysis, necessitating a clinical assessment by a registered nurse or physician.

Timely communication with the nurse ensures that the patient can receive an evaluation and appropriate intervention, which could include adjustments in treatment or medical assessment. The recommendation to notify the nurse is crucial as it aligns with the safety protocols established to monitor any significant changes in a patient’s condition during treatment.

This response takes precedence over simply documenting the findings and proceeding with treatment, which might overlook a potential complication that could worsen without intervention. Increasing the rate of dialysis or changing the patient’s estimated dry weight could also exacerbate the situation without a thorough assessment and proper guidance from nursing staff.