Dialysate that is too hot during dialysis can cause which complication?

• A. hypotension
• B. hemolysis
• C. cramps
• D. hypertension

Answer: (B)

Overheating dialysate raises the temperature of blood in the extracorporeal circuit, and red blood cells are sensitive to heat. This thermal stress can disrupt the RBC membrane, causing the cells to rupture and release hemoglobin into the plasma. That destruction of red cells is hemolysis, a direct and serious consequence of using dialysate that’s too hot. While excessive heat can also contribute to symptoms like dizziness or low blood pressure from vasodilation, the key idea here is that hot dialysate can cause red blood cell rupture.