What term describes the procedure used to remove waste products from the blood of a patient whose kidneys no longer function?
1 Answer
Dialysis is the medical term used for the process of removing of waste and excess water from the blood of patients with kidney failure.
Explanation:
Properly functioning kidneys prevent extra water, waste and other impurities from accumulating in the body. They also help control blood pressure and regulate the levels of chemicals in the blood. The kidneys also remove the end products of the body's acidic metabolism. They are also a significant part of the endocrine system.
Dialysis works on the principles of diffusion of solutes and ultrafiltration of fluid across a semi permeable membrane. This replicates the filtering process that takes place in the kidneys when blood enters the kidneys and the larger substances are separated from the smaller ones in the glomerulus.
Dialysis may be used for those with an acute disturbance in kidney function or progressive but chronically worsening kidney function.
But it is an imperfect treatment to replace kidney function because it does not correct the compromised endocrine functions of the kidneys.
