What should a PCT do if a patient experiences hypotension during dialysis?

When a patient experiences hypotension during dialysis, placing them in a flat position is essential for several reasons. This position helps increase venous return to the heart, which can improve blood pressure and reduce the risk of further complications associated with low blood pressure. Additionally, monitoring vital signs in this scenario is crucial as it allows healthcare providers to keep track of the patient’s condition and respond appropriately to any changes.

Maintaining a flat position helps maintain cerebral perfusion and reduces the risk of fainting or other adverse effects that can occur due to low blood pressure. It is a basic yet important intervention that aids in stabilizing the patient while further medical support is being arranged.

In contrast, other actions—like administering medication or increasing the dialysis flow rate—are not appropriate initial responses in this situation. They may require more direct nursing intervention and monitoring, which makes them secondary to the immediate action of placing the patient flat and assessing vital signs. Changing the patient's position to sitting up would likely exacerbate the hypotension by decreasing venous return and should be avoided.