What intervention should be taken if a patient shows signs of disequilibrium syndrome during hemodialysis?

In cases where a patient exhibits signs of disequilibrium syndrome during hemodialysis, decreasing the blood flow rate is a key intervention. Disequilibrium syndrome can occur when there is a rapid shift of fluid and solute from the blood into the dialysate, leading to changes in the osmotic balance between the brain and blood. By reducing the blood flow rate, the rate of solute transfer can be slowed, minimizing the likelihood of rapid fluid shifts and allowing the patient's body to adjust more gradually.

This approach helps mitigate the symptoms associated with disequilibrium syndrome, such as nausea, headaches, and neurological effects, while promoting patient safety during the dialysis process. Other interventions may not address the underlying issue of rapid changes in fluid and solute levels as effectively as modifying the blood flow rate.