What major complication can occur when a patient is dialyzed on a hypotonic dialysate?

Dialyzing a patient on a hypotonic dialysate can lead to hemolysis, which is the destruction of red blood cells. This occurs because the hypotonic solution has a lower concentration of solutes compared to the body's blood and cellular fluid. When blood is exposed to a hypotonic environment, water moves into red blood cells to balance the osmotic pressure. This influx of water can cause the cells to swell and eventually burst, resulting in hemolysis.

This condition can lead to various complications, such as anemia and the release of hemoglobin into the bloodstream, which may cause further issues related to renal function and overall patient health. Understanding the osmolarity of dialysate solutions is crucial to prevent such serious complications during dialysis treatments.

Other complications associated with dialysis, like hypotension, arrhythmia, or dialysis disequilibrium syndrome, may occur under different circumstances, but they are not specifically the primary risk associated with using hypotonic dialysate.