Which method can contribute to sodium loading during dialysis?

The method that can contribute to sodium loading during dialysis is the administration of normal saline or hypertonic saline. Both of these solutions contain significant amounts of sodium, which can lead to increased sodium levels in the blood when administered.

Normal saline, for example, contains a concentration of 154 mEq/L of sodium. When this solution is infused into a patient undergoing dialysis, especially if it is done in large volumes, it can lead to an excess intake of sodium. Hypertonic saline contains even higher sodium concentrations and can further exacerbate sodium loading during treatment. Thus, the administration of these saline solutions should be carefully monitored to avoid potential complications associated with sodium overload.

In contrast, using distilled water for rinsing does not introduce sodium into the patient’s system, nor does solely administering potassium solutions contribute to sodium loading. Additionally, completely eliminating saline from patient care does not address any sodium loading but rather prevents the potential for sodium influx entirely.