Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) Flashcards
Define dialysis
Process that removes substances from the blood that cannot be cleared due to decreased renal function
At what stage should the eGFR be to consider initiating renal dialysis?
eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73^2
What are the criteria to initiate dialysis on a patient?
- Signs/Sx of attributes to renal function
- Inability to control volume and/or BP
- Deterioration of nutritional status
- Cognitive decline
- Uncontrolled acid/base abnormalities
What are the signs/Sx that attribute to renal function?
Seizures, hiccups, anorexia, cramps, fatigue, electrolyte abnormalities, pruritus
When should you be worried about BP not being controlled?
BP > 170 or 180 mmHg
What are factors to consider when you want to initiate dialysis?
- Age
- Vascular accessibility
- Transplantation option
- Lifetime expectancy
- Compliant w/ medications
- Dialysis accessibility
What are the two most common dialysis procedures patients use?
Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis
What are the advantages of hemodialysis?
- Higher solute clearance (intermittent use)
- Less rates of technique failure
- Closer monitoring to patient
What are the disadvantages of hemodialysis?
- Require patients to drive to the dialysis center several (3) times a week
- Can cause hypotension, cramps, and disequilibrium
- Vascular accessibility complications
What are the advantages of peritoneal dialysis?
- Patient can be hemodynamically stable
- More independence (no machine needed)
- Patients who cannot tolerate hemodialysis
What are the disadvantages of peritoneal dialysis?
- Loss of proteins and amino acids leading to decreased appetite (malnutrition)
- Catheter malfunction and/or infection
- Patient burnout (less compliant)
There are several steps in hemodialysis. What are the steps? (HINT: 8 steps)
- Vascular accessibility
- Blood leaves the patient and enters the blood pump
- Heparin is used for the blood not to coagulate
- Blood enters the dialyzer countercurrent to the dialysate
- Dialysate enters the dialyzer countercurrent to the blood
- Ultrafiltrate leaves the dialyzer
- Blood leaves the dialyzer and enters back to the patient
- This process is repeated 3 times a week for 3-4 hours
What are the 3 main components for a hemodialysis?
- Blood circuit
- Dialyzer
- Dialysate circuit
(T/F) - Heparin and LMWH (both) can be used to avoid coagulation in the blood
False - ONLY heparin can be used during hemodialysis
How many mL is the blood being pumped out from the blood pump per minute?
300-600 mL/min
What is ultrafiltrate defined as?
The solutes and fluid removed from blood
How many mL is the dialysate being pumped out from the dialysate pump per minute?
500 mL/min
What is dialysate defined as?
Purified buffers, water, and electrolytes