What happens if the UF rate is not turned off during a post BUN draw?

If the ultrafiltration (UF) rate is not turned off during a post blood urea nitrogen (BUN) draw, it can lead to inaccurate results. The UF rate pertains to the process of removing excess fluid from a patient during dialysis. When fluid is being ultrafiltered at the same time blood is drawn for diagnostic testing like a BUN, the concentration of urea in the remaining blood can be altered. This could result in a lower measured BUN than what actually exists in the bloodstream, thereby skewing the lab results. Accurate BUN levels are essential for assessing kidney function and adjusting patient treatment, so ensuring that the UF rate is turned off beforehand is critical for obtaining reliable and valid test outcomes.