Dialysis essays

Dialysis essays The topic of this paper is dialysis. Throughout the paper I will discuss the alternative names given for dialysis, reasons on why the test is performed, how the test is performed, how the test will feel, how to prepare for the test, risks that may occur, and lastly, some pictures of a dialysis machine and the instruments used during dialysis. There are several alternative names used for dialysis that include artificial kidneys, AV fistula, AV graft, hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis. Dialysis is performed to remove contaminants from the blood that could, and eventually, result in death in the absence of kidney function. The kidneys function as filters for the blood, removing products of amino acid breakdown. More than that, they serve to reclaim and regulate body water, maintain electrolyte balance, and ensure that the blood pH remains between 7.35 and 7.45. Without the function of the kidney, life is not possible (http://content.health.msn.com/content/asset/adam_test_av_graft). Dialysis serves to replace some of the functions of the kidney. Since dialysis is not a constant ongoing process, it cannot serve as a constant monitor as do normal functioning kidneys, but it can eliminate waste products and restore electrolyte and pH levels on an as needed basis (http://content.health.msn.com/content/asset/adam_test_av_graft). The test is performed by a process called homodialysis. Hemodialysis works by circulating the blood through a machine. The blood flows across a semipermeable membrane with solutions that remove toxins. Before hemodialysis can be performed, there needs to be adequate access to the vascular system. The access needs to support a blood flow of 250 ml/minute, and a normal venous peripheral IV will not support that volume of blood flow. A special type of arterial and venous access is therefore established. The access can be either external or internal. External access involves two catheters, one th...