In the event of a machine alarm during dialysis, what should the technician initially do?

When a machine alarm occurs during dialysis, the primary responsibility of the technician is to check the patient first. This is crucial because the patient's well-being takes precedence over all other actions. The alarm could indicate a serious issue affecting the patient, such as changes in blood pressure, blood flow, or any other physiological response that requires immediate attention. Ensuring that the patient is stable and not in distress is the first step in a proper response to any alarm signal.

After addressing the patient's condition, the technician can then proceed to silence the alarm, inspect the machine, or notify a nurse, depending on what they observe and need for further action. Prioritizing patient assessment helps ensure that any potential complications are recognized and managed promptly, promoting patient safety during the hemodialysis process.