Which is a key risk of using hemodialysis for patients with comorbid conditions?

Using hemodialysis presents a significant risk of infection, particularly due to the nature of the procedure. During hemodialysis, a patient's blood is circulated outside the body through a machine, which means that access sites, such as arteriovenous fistulas or central venous catheters, become potential points for infection. Patients with comorbid conditions, such as diabetes or vascular disease, may already have compromised immune systems, increasing their vulnerability to infections. The risk is further heightened by repeated access to the vascular system, which could cause trauma to the surrounding tissues and create a favorable environment for pathogens to enter.

Addressing the other options: While decreased blood pressure can occur during hemodialysis due to fluid removal and other factors, it is a managed aspect of treatment and does not pose the same level of inherent risk as infection. Excess fluid retention is typically a reason for initiating dialysis rather than a complication from it, especially in patients who are not effectively managing their fluid intake. Decreased mobility can also be associated with patients on hemodialysis due to the time spent in treatment, but again, this is not inherently a direct risk associated with the procedure itself; rather, it is a consequence of their overall health status and treatment