Priciples Of Dialysis

Question 1

What is diffusion?

Answer 1

Movement of solutes (urea, electrolytes, creatine, smaller drugs, ect.) across a semi permeable membrane from higher concentration to lower. This is how waste products an extra electrolytes are removed from the blood and how additional electrolytes that are needed are given to the patient. Diffusion rate is affected by concentration gradient, temperature, countercurrent flow.

Question 2

Osmosis:

Answer 2

Movement of water from lower concentration of solute’s to higher concentration.

Question 3

Ultrafiltration:

Answer 3

Use of both negative and positive pressure to pull excess fluid from the patient.