A patient with "first-use" syndrome is experiencing severe symptoms. What action should be implemented?

A patient presenting with "first-use" syndrome, which is a hypersensitivity reaction to a newly used dialysis filter (dialyzer), may exhibit symptoms such as fever, chills, and hypotension. In this scenario, the appropriate action is to discard the dialyzer. This response is essential because continuing the treatment with a dialyzer that has elicited a severe reaction can lead to further complications for the patient.

The decision to discard the dialyzer not only prevents ongoing exposure to the allergenic material but also prioritizes patient safety by mitigating any potential for worsening symptoms associated with "first-use" syndrome. In managing such reactions, the healthcare team may need to reassess the entire dialysis setup and ensure that future treatments are performed with alternative materials that have been tolerated by the patient in the past.

In contrast, the other options do not address the immediate need to ensure patient safety relative to the dialyzer. Taking frequent blood pressure readings, while important for monitoring, does not resolve the underlying issue of the dialyzer's reaction. Returning the blood to the patient should not be prioritized until the source of the reaction is addressed. Administering Benadryl might provide relief for allergic symptoms, but it would be ineffective if the