#hemodialysis

The registered nurse is instructing a new nursing graduate about hemodialysis. Which statement, if made by the new nursing graduate, would indicate an understanding of the procedure for hemodialysis? 

SELECT ALL THAT APPLY

a) “Sterile dialysate must be used.”

b) “Dialysate contains metabolic waste products.”

c) “Heparin sodium is administered during dialysis.”

d) “Dialysis cleanses the blood of accumulated waste products.”

e) “Warming the dialysate increases the efficiency of diffusion.”

Answer: c, d, e

Heparin sodium is used during dialysis, and it inhibits the tendency of blood to clot when it comes in contact with foreign substances. Option 4 is the purpose of dialysis. The dialysate is warmed to approximately 100° F to increase the efficiency of diffusion and to prevent a decrease in the client’s blood temperature. Dialysate is made from clear water and chemicals and is free from any metabolic waste products or medications. Bacteria and other microorganisms are too large to pass through the membrane; therefore the dialysate does not need to be sterile.