Question 1: Define dialysis and explain its primary purpose in medical treatment.

Answer: Dialysis is a medical process that removes waste products, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood when the kidneys are unable to do so. Its primary purpose is to maintain the body's fluid and chemical balance, supporting homeostasis.

Question 2: Describe how a dialysis machine mimics the function of healthy kidneys.

Answer: A dialysis machine uses a process called hemodialysis, where blood is drawn from the patient, filtered through a machine to remove waste products and excess fluids, and then returned to the body, mimicking the kidney's filtration function.

Question 3: What are the main substances removed from the blood during dialysis?

Answer: Waste products like urea, excess salts, and excess water.

Question 1: If a patient's blood contains 40 mg/dL of urea and the dialysis process reduces this to 10 mg/dL in 4 hours, calculate the rate of urea removal in mg per hour per deciliter.

Answer: Rate = (Initial concentration - Final concentration) / Time = (40 mg/dL - 10 mg/dL) / 4 hours = 7.5 mg/dL per hour.

Question 2: A dialysis machine filters 150 mL of blood per minute. How much blood is filtered in 3 hours?

Answer: Total volume = 150 mL/min × 60 min/hour × 3 hours = 150 × 180 = 27,000 mL or 27 liters.

Question 1: Design a simple experiment to test the effectiveness of a homemade dialysis filter using solutions of different salt concentrations. Describe the variables, controls, and safety precautions.

Answer: Students should set up a system where a solution with a known salt concentration is passed through a filter (e.g., a dialysis tubing). Independent variable: salt concentration in solution. Dependent variable: concentration after filtration. Controls: same volume of solution, same filter membrane. Safety precautions include handling solutions carefully, avoiding spills, and wearing protective gloves and eyewear.

Question 1: A patient undergoing dialysis shows a decrease in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels from 80 mg/dL to 20 mg/dL after 3 sessions. Explain what this indicates about the effectiveness of the treatment.

Answer: This indicates that the dialysis treatment is effectively removing waste products like urea from the patient's blood, helping to restore normal chemical balance.

Question 2: In a scenario where a patient experiences dizziness and muscle cramps during dialysis, what could be the possible causes, and what precautions might be taken?

Answer: Possible causes include rapid removal of fluids and electrolytes leading to imbalances. Precautions include monitoring fluid removal rates, adjusting electrolyte levels in the dialysis fluid, and ensuring the patient is properly hydrated before treatment.

Question 1: Explain how advances in dialysis technology have improved the quality of life for patients with kidney failure.

Answer: Advances such as more efficient machines, portable dialysis devices, and better dialysate formulations have made treatment more effective, less time-consuming, and more comfortable, greatly improving patients' daily lives.

Question 2: Discuss the potential future developments in dialysis technology that could make treatment more accessible and affordable.

Answer: Future developments may include wearable or implantable dialysis devices, use of nanotechnology for more efficient filtration, and reduced costs through new materials or methods, making treatment accessible to more patients worldwide.