Your arteriovenous fistula or graft may be in your arm or leg, and only trained dialysis staff should perform dialysis punctures on this limb, following a “button” or “ladder” puncture protocol and changing the puncture site frequently. This should be done by the medical staff, and the dialysis patient should diligently observe the endovascular fistula and take care of your vascular access. (1) After surgery, there will be some swelling. To reduce the swelling as soon as possible, keep the affected limb elevated on a pillow at night, and place the upper limb on the access side on your chest with a bandage during the day or when you go out. You can also do some exercises to increase blood flow, such as squeezing a rubber ball with the hand on the access side. (2) You should always compare the temperature and color of the skin with that of the other arm. If there are any abnormal signs in that hand or fingers on the side of the procedure, including no blood, coldness, numbness, tingling, weakness, inability to move, or other discomfort, contact the dialysis unit medical staff as soon as possible. (3) To protect your vascular access: do not measure blood pressure or take blood from the limb with a vascular fistula; avoid sleeping with your head on the limb with a vascular fistula; avoid tightening any straps on the limb with a vascular fistula, including watch straps, jewelry, and tight clothing; and do not allow the use of the affected limb to extract weights greater than 5 pounds (2.268 kg). (4) Watch for signs of clotting in the arteriovenous endovascular/graft vessels. Feel your endovascular/graft vessels daily by touching the tremor to see if it is normal. If you notice that the tremor has diminished or disappeared, call the dialysis unit medical staff immediately.
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