What is the primary reason for checking patient weight before and after dialysis?

Monitoring patient weight before and after dialysis is crucial primarily to assess fluid removal during the treatment. In patients undergoing dialysis, particularly hemodialysis, fluid overload is a common issue due to decreased kidney function, which can lead to complications such as hypertension and heart failure. By checking weight before beginning treatment, healthcare providers establish a baseline to compare against the post-dialysis weight.

The difference in weight effectively reflects the amount of excess fluid that has been removed during the session. This is important for ensuring that the patient is neither under- nor over-treated regarding fluid removal, which can have serious health implications. Accurate weight measurements help dialysis staff manage treatment parameters, optimize patient outcomes, and maintain safety throughout the dialysis process.

While assessing blood pressure changes, determining medication dosage, and evaluating nutritional status are important aspects of the overall care of a dialysis patient, they are not the primary reason for routine weight checks. Instead, weight change directly correlates to fluid management, which is a key component of effective dialysis therapy.