Explain Why Most People Require Three Sessions Of Haemodialysis

1226 Words5 Pages
1.1 Renal function/failure Most people know that a major function of the kidneys is to remove waste products and excess fluid from the body. These waste products and excess fluids are removed through the urine. The production of urine involves highly complex steps of excretion and re-absorption. This process is necessary to maintain a stable balance of body chemicals. The critical regulation of the body’s salt, potassium and acid content is performed by the kidneys. The kidneys also produce hormones that affect the function of other organs. For example, a hormone produced by the kidneys stimulates red blood cell production. Other hormones produced by the kidneys help regulate blood pressure and control calcium metabolism. The kidneys are powerful chemical factories that perform the following functions;…show more content…
A dialysis session takes at least four hours to complete because your blood needs to be removed and then replaced slowly. During dialysis sessions you are usually on a reclined chair, or bed. At the start of the session, your blood pressure, skin temperature and pulse will be measured. If you decide to have dialysis at home, you will be trained to take these measurements yourself. Two thin needles will be inserted into your AV fistula or graft and taped into place. One needle will slowly remove blood and transfer it to a machine called a dialyzer or dialysis machine. The dialysis machine is made up of a series of membranes that act as filters and a special liquid called dialysate. The membranes filter waste products from your blood, which are passed into the dialysate fluid. The ‘dirty’ dialysate fluid is pumped out of the dialyzer and the ‘clean’ blood is passed back into your body through the second needle. It would be too dangerous to remove large amounts of blood in one go, so only 40-50ml (two fluid ounces) of blood is removed at any one time.

More about Explain Why Most People Require Three Sessions Of Haemodialysis

Open Document