Which statement about dialysis is correct?

• A. Patients who miss a dialysis treatment often present with weakness.
• B. Acute hypertension is a common adverse effect of dialysis.
• C. The purpose of dialysis is to help the kidneys retain salt and water.
• D. Hemodialysis is effective but carries a high risk of peritonitis.

Answer: (A)

Dialysis is used to remove waste products and excess fluid from the body when the kidneys can’t. If a patient misses a treatment, those wastes and fluid build up, often leading to weakness and fatigue. The other statements mix up what dialysis does and the risks associated with different types: dialysis doesn’t aim to retain salt and water—in fact, it removes them to restore balance—and peritonitis is a risk mainly with peritoneal dialysis, not with hemodialysis.