Confusion, headache, and seizures.-rationale: dialysis equilibrium syndrome causes confusion, a decreasing level of consciousness, headache, and seizures. these findings, which may last several days, probably result from a relative excess of interstitial or intracellular solutes caused by rapid solute removal from the blood. the resultant organ swelling interferes with normal physiological functions. to prevent this syndrome, many dialysis centers keep first-time sessions short and use a reduced blood flow rate. acute bone pain and confusion are associated with aluminum intoxication, another potential complication of dialysis. weakness, tingling, and cardiac arrhythmias suggest hyperkalemia, which is associated with renal failure. hypotension, tachycardia, and tachypnea signal hemorrhage, another dialysis complication.
