How is a patient's target weight typically determined?

A patient's target weight is typically determined through a combination of physician's orders and clinical assessments that take into account the individual's overall health condition, medical history, and dialysis treatment goals. This collaborative approach ensures that the target weight is tailored to the patient's specific needs and circumstances.

Physicians often guide the target weight based on factors like fluid balance, nutritional status, and the effectiveness of dialysis treatment. Clinical assessments, which can include monitoring the patient's physical signs, symptoms, and response to treatment, help validate or adjust the physician's recommendations. This multifaceted determination of target weight ensures that patient safety and health outcomes are prioritized.

In contrast, relying solely on patient preference, the nurse's discretion, or measurements taken only by the PCT would not provide the comprehensive evaluation needed to establish an appropriate and safe target weight, which could lead to inadequate care or health complications.