Short frequent hemodialysis treatments in patients with high BUN are performed to prevent what?

• A. Hypertension
• B. Infection
• C. Hypotension
• D. Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome

Answer: (D)

When urea and other solutes are cleared from the blood during dialysis too quickly, the plasma osmolality drops faster than the brain can adapt. This creates an osmotic gradient that draws water into brain cells, potentially causing cerebral edema and dialysis disequilibrium syndrome. Using short, more frequent dialysis sessions slows the rate of solute removal, giving the brain time to equilibrate and reducing the risk of this neurologic complication. While hypertension, infection, and hypotension are important considerations in dialysis care, the specific reason for using brief, frequent treatments in patients with very high BUN is to prevent dialysis disequilibrium syndrome.