If reverse filtration occurs and dialysis water is moved into the blood, what patient complication should be monitored?

When reverse filtration occurs during dialysis, it means that instead of the filtration process removing excess water and waste from the blood, water is moving into the bloodstream. This shift can lead to a variety of complications, but one important concern is the potential for a pyrogen reaction, which is characterized by fever.

Pyrogens are substances that can cause fever when introduced into the body, particularly when they originate from bacteria or are otherwise foreign to the body's systems. In the context of dialysis, if non-sterile water or substances are introduced back into the bloodstream, it can lead to an inflammatory response, presenting as fever and potentially other systemic reactions. Continuous monitoring for signs of fever is crucial as it could indicate a serious issue, including infection or endotoxin release, which may be related to the reverse filtration occurring.

While rupture of blood vessels, water on the basin, and hypertensive crisis may be considerations in the setting of dialysis, they do not directly relate to the complications resulting from the movement of dialysis water back into the bloodstream in the same way that a pyrogen reaction does. Thus, monitoring for fever is essential to ensure patient safety during this process.