What Was That?
Plain-language explanations of the terms, machine messages, access checks, and treatment concepts you may see or hear before, during, and after dialysis.
Important: My Treatment explains general dialysis concepts. It does not determine what caused an event in your treatment or replace your dialysis care team.
Why do they weigh me before dialysis?
Pre-treatment weight is one piece of information the care team uses when planning fluid removal for that session.
What is target or dry weight?
Target weight is a clinical estimate used in fluid-management planning. Read the guide →
What is a UF goal?
The UF goal is the programmed fluid-removal goal for the treatment. Read the guide →
Why do they check my access?
Staff assess the fistula, graft, or catheter before use and may check blood flow, the access site, and other treatment-specific details. Understand access types →
What is the thrill or buzz?
A thrill is the vibration that can often be felt over a functioning AV fistula or graft. Staff and patients may use it as one part of access monitoring.
Why is the machine running before I am connected?
Hemodialysis machines and the extracorporeal circuit go through preparation and safety checks before treatment begins.
Why does the dialysis machine alarm?
Alarms call attention to a condition that needs to be checked; the alarm alone does not identify the cause. Read the guide →
What is arterial pressure?
Arterial pressure is one of the circuit pressures the machine monitors on the blood-withdrawal side of the extracorporeal circuit.
What is venous pressure?
Venous pressure is one of the circuit pressures monitored on the blood-return side of the extracorporeal circuit.
What is TMP?
Transmembrane pressure relates to the pressure difference across the dialyzer membrane and is one of the values the machine monitors during treatment.
What is conductivity?
Conductivity is used by the machine as part of monitoring dialysate composition. A conductivity alarm requires staff evaluation rather than patient interpretation.
What is a blood-leak alarm?
The machine monitors the dialysate side for changes that may indicate blood where it should not be. The alarm itself does not establish the cause.
Why can cramps happen?
Cramping during dialysis can have more than one possible contributor. Read the guide →
Why can blood pressure drop?
Blood pressure can change during dialysis for multiple reasons. Read the guide →
Why does dialysis take so long?
Treatment time reflects the dialysis prescription and the amount of time needed to provide the planned treatment. Read the guide →
What is rinseback?
Near the end of treatment, blood remaining in the extracorporeal circuit is generally returned to the patient as part of disconnecting from the machine.
Why do they weigh me again?
Post-treatment weight gives the care team another measurement to compare with the treatment plan and the patient’s clinical assessment.
Why do I have to hold pressure?
After fistula or graft needles are removed, pressure is used to help control bleeding from the needle sites.
Why am I so tired afterward?
Post-dialysis fatigue is common and can have more than one contributor. Read the guide →