Fresenius Patient Care Technician (PCT) Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive Prep Tool

Increased arterial pressure during dialysis is often a result of kinks or clamps on the arterial line. When there is a kink or a clamp in the arterial line, it obstructs the flow of blood from the patient to the dialysis machine. This obstruction causes a buildup of pressure in the arterial system, leading to an increase in arterial pressure readings.

Proper function of the arterial line is crucial for effective dialysis; any obstruction or restriction can significantly impact treatment efficiency and patient safety. Recognizing and promptly addressing kinks or clamps is vital for maintaining optimal blood flow rates during dialysis, which can help prevent complications and ensure effective treatment.

Other factors can influence arterial pressure, but they do not directly cause the same type of increase in pressure as kinks or clamps do. For example, improved needle placement would likely contribute to better blood flow and potentially lower pressure issues, and while a higher blood flow rate could influence pressures, it's usually meant to enhance efficiency rather than increase pressure due to obstruction. Higher dialysate temperatures might affect other aspects of the dialysis treatment but would not intrinsically relate to increased arterial pressure due to mechanical obstruction.