Kidney failure Flashcards

1
Q

What happens if someone’s kidneys stop working?

A

There are two treatments.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What two treatments are there if someone’s kidneys stop working?

A
  • Regular dialysis.

- Transplant.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What do the kidneys do?

A

They remove waste substances from the blood.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What happens if the kidneys don’t work properly?

A

Waste substances build up in the blood.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What happens when the kidneys don’t work properly causing waste substances to build up in the blood?

A

You lose your ability to control the levels of ions and water in your body. This eventually results in death.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What problems can you get if the kidneys don’t work properly?

A

Problems in the

  • Heart
  • Bones.
  • Nervous system.
  • Stomach.
  • Mouth
  • Etc.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What do dialysis machines do?

A

They filter the blood (do the job of the kidneys).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

When does dialysis have to be done?

A

Regularly.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Why does dialysis have to be done regularly?

A

To keep the concentration of dissolved substances in the blood at normal levels, and to remove waste substances.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How does a dialysis machine work?

A

The person’s blood flows into the dialysis machine alongside a selectively permeable barrier, surrounded by dialysis fluid, then back into the person.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Why does a dialysis machine contain a permeable barrier which is selective?

A

Because it’s permeable to things like waste substances (e.g. urea) and excess ions and water, but not to big molecules like proteins (just like the membranes in the kidneys).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What does the dialysis fluid which surrounds the selectively permeable barrier in a dialysis machine have?

A

It has the same concentration of dissolved ions and glucose as healthy blood.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What does the dialysis fluid having the same concentration of dissolved ions and glucose as healthy blood mean?

A

That useful dissolved ions and glucose won’t be lost from the blood during dialysis.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the downsides of dialysis?

A
  • Many patients with kidney failure have to have dialysis sessions three times a week, which each take 3-4 hours.
  • Dialysis may cause blood clots or infections.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the only cure for kidney disease at the moment?

A

To have a kidney transplant.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Who are healthy kidneys usually transplanted from?

A

People who have died suddenly (e.g. in a car accident), and are on the organ donor register or carry a donor card (as long as the relatives allow it).

17
Q

Who else can kidneys be transplanted from?

A

People who are alive, as we have two kidneys.

18
Q

What is the disadvantage of kidney transplants?

A

The donor kidney can be rejected by the patient’s immune system.

19
Q

How is the donor kidney rejected from the patient’s immune system after a kidney transplant?

A

The foreign antigens on the donor kidney are attacked by the patient’s antibodies.

20
Q

What do we do to help prevent the donor kidney from being rejected by the patient’s immune system?

A

We take precautions.

21
Q

What precautions are taken to help prevent the donor kidney from being rejected by the patient’s immune system?

A
  • A donor with a tissue type that closely matches the patient is chosen.
  • The patient is treated with drugs that suppress their immune system, so it won’t attack the transplanted kidney.
22
Q

What is tissue type based on when choosing a donor with a tissue type that closely matches the patient?

A

The antigens on the surface of the kidney, which are proteins on the surface of most cells.

23
Q

Why is a kidney transplant better than dialysis?

A
  • Dialysis machines are expensive to run.
  • They are not a pleasant experience.
  • Transplants are cheaper and can put an end to the hours spent on dialysis.
24
Q

Why is dialysis better than a kidney transplant?

A
  • There are long waiting lists for kidney transplants.
  • There is a possibility that the kidney will be rejected.
  • Suppressing the immune system means the person is vulnerable to other illnesses.