If a patient's venous needle infiltrates during a hemodialysis treatment, what is the first action a technician should take?

When a patient's venous needle infiltrates during hemodialysis treatment, the immediate priority is to stop the blood pump to prevent further complications. Infiltration occurs when the needle misplaces and blood is not effectively returning to the circuit; continuing to operate the blood pump can cause additional swelling, tissue damage, and discomfort for the patient. Stopping the blood pump helps minimize any risk of damage to the surrounding tissue and allows the technician to assess the infiltration and address it properly.

Once the blood pump is stopped, the technician can then evaluate the situation more closely, including considering possible actions such as applying ice or inserting another needle, but the first and most critical action is to halt the blood flow safely to protect the patient's health.