Question 1: Dialysis is a medical process that artificially removes waste products and excess fluids from the blood when the kidneys are unable to do so. It helps maintain homeostasis by regulating the composition of blood. There are two main types: hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Answer: Dialysis is a process that removes waste and excess fluids from the blood when kidneys fail, helping maintain a stable internal environment.

Question 1: What is the primary function of the kidneys in maintaining homeostasis?

Answer: The primary function of the kidneys is to filter blood, removing waste products and excess substances to maintain a stable internal environment.

Question 2: Name two waste products that are removed from the blood during dialysis.

Answer: Urea and excess salts (or ions) are removed during dialysis.

Question 3: Explain how a hemodialysis machine works to clean the blood.

Answer: A hemodialysis machine draws blood from the patient, passes it through a filter called a dialyzer where waste products and excess fluids are removed, and then returns the cleaned blood back to the patient. The process uses a semi-permeable membrane to allow waste and excess substances to pass while retaining blood cells and larger molecules.

Question 1: During a dialysis session, a patient's blood volume is 5 liters. If the machine removes 2 liters of excess fluid over 4 hours, what is the rate of fluid removal per hour? (Show formula and units.)

Answer: Rate = Total fluid removed / Time = 2 liters / 4 hours = 0.5 liters per hour.

Question 2: A dialyzer removes waste products at a rate of 150 mL per minute. How much waste is removed in a 3-hour session? (Show calculations with units.)

Answer: Waste removed = 150 mL/min × 180 min = 27,000 mL = 27 liters.

Question 1: Identify two variables that must be controlled during dialysis to ensure patient safety.

Answer: Blood flow rate and dialysis fluid composition.

Question 2: List two safety precautions that healthcare providers should follow during dialysis treatment.

Answer: Monitoring for signs of infection and ensuring proper sterilization of equipment.

Question 1: A patient’s blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level before dialysis is 80 mg/dL, and after a 4-hour session, it decreases to 20 mg/dL. What does this data suggest about the effectiveness of the dialysis process?

Answer: The significant decrease in BUN levels indicates that dialysis effectively removes waste products from the blood.

Question 2: In a scenario where the rate of waste removal is lower than expected, what could be possible reasons? Provide two examples.

Answer: Possible reasons include a malfunction in the dialyzer membrane or insufficient blood flow rate.

Question 1: Describe the process of dialysis and explain how it helps maintain homeostasis in patients with kidney failure. Include in your answer the role of the semi-permeable membrane and the importance of regulating waste and fluid levels.

Answer: Dialysis is a medical procedure that replaces the kidney’s filtering function when the kidneys fail. Blood is drawn from the patient and passed through a dialyzer, which contains a semi-permeable membrane. Waste products like urea and excess salts diffuse across the membrane into the dialysis fluid, which is specially formulated to draw out these substances. Cleaned blood is then returned to the patient. This process helps maintain homeostasis by regulating the levels of waste, salts, and fluids, preventing toxin buildup and fluid overload that could be life-threatening.

Question 1: How has the development of dialysis technology impacted the treatment of kidney failure worldwide?

Answer: Dialysis technology has saved millions of lives by providing an effective treatment option for kidney failure, allowing patients to lead longer, healthier lives and improving quality of life.

Question 2: Discuss one limitation of dialysis treatment and a possible solution or advancement in technology to address it.

Answer: A limitation is the need for frequent sessions and dependency on machines; advancements like portable dialysis devices or improved membrane technology could make treatment more accessible and convenient.