question about recirculation

[montanaluna]

Hi All,

I'm a new dialysis nurse, technically still training, though at the end of my training, and I have so many questions still that I feel like the nurses and techs that I work with must get tired of me asking questions! So I am asking one here! If a patient wants to go to the bathroom, I know that we return the blood and put the machine in recirculation. So we put the sterile end caps on the patient's needles. What exactly do we do with the machine to put it into recirculation? I would so appreciate a reply! My company's procedure manual doesn't have a procedure explanation for this. Thank you so much!

[Twinmom06, ASN, APN]

you hook up a recirculator to the ends of the tubing to connect them, open your saline line and make sure the blood pump is running.

[montanaluna]

Thank you very much! Every thing I learn helps me feel a little bit more competent!

[adsmithrn]

I have trained many pct's and nurses. Please don't hesitate to ask your preceptor any and all questions. No question is a stupid question. They are getting paid to precept you. It is much better to ask than to guess. We all have been in your shoes and had to learn. Also the internet has a wealth of information, however, you always want to follow policy and procedures for your facility.

[Chisca, RN]

And pause the treatment on the machine which stops the treatment clock. On reconnect resume treatment and the clock starts rolling again.

[Twinmom06, ASN, APN]

And pause the treatment on the machine which stops the treatment clock. On reconnect resume treatment and the clock starts rolling again.

yes! forgot about that part - thanks Chisca!