If a patient has a dialysis shunt, what body part should not be used for blood pressure measurement?

In patients who have a dialysis shunt, which is typically placed in the forearm, the left arm should not be used for blood pressure measurements. This is because the shunt serves as an access point for dialysis treatment, and using that arm for blood pressure monitoring could lead to various complications. These include potential damage to the shunt, which could compromise the dialysis access and therefore the patient’s kidney treatment. Moreover, using the arm with the shunt could also lead to inaccurate readings due to altered vascular dynamics caused by the presence of the shunt.

In situations like these, it’s important to select an alternative location for blood pressure measurement—such as the right arm or legs, depending on the individual patient's condition and any other considerations relevant to their health. Always prioritizing the integrity of the shunt and the needs of the patient is essential in clinical practice.