The kidneys are a pair of organs, each about the size of a fist, located on either side of your spine. They’re responsible for purifying your blood by removing waste and excess fluid from your body. When the kidneys don’t work properly, dialysis is used to perform the function of the kidneys.
Dialysis is a treatment that filters and purifies the blood using a machine. This helps keep your body in balance when the kidneys can’t do their job. Dialysis has been used since the 1940s to treat people with kidney problems.
Dialysis is the artificial process of eliminating waste (diffusion) and unwanted water (ultrafiltration) from the blood. Our kidneys do this naturally. Some people, however, may have failed or damaged kidneys which cannot carry out the function properly - they may need dialysis.
In other words, dialysis is the artificial replacement for lost kidney function (renal replacement therapy).
Dialysis may be used for patients who have become ill and have acute kidney failure (temporary loss of kidney function), or for fairly stable patients who have permanently lost kidney function (stage 5 chronic kidney disease).
When we are healthy our kidneys regulate our body levels of water and minerals, and remove waste. The kidneys also produce erythropoietin and 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol) as part of the endocrine system.
Dialysis does not correct the endocrine functions of failed kidneys - it only replaces some kidney functions, such as waste removal and fluid removal.
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What Is Dialysis?
- Kunle Emmanuel
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What Is Dialysis?
Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »
Together We Light Up The Profession one candle at a time.
- Kunle Emmanuel
- Webmaster
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- Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2012 5:02 pm
- Years of practice: 20
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Re: What Is Dialysis?
Unread post by Kunle Emmanuel »
Nursing Responsibilities pre, intra and post dialysis include;
Pre dialysis:.
1. Obtain history from the client whether he/she is still making urine( to assess residual renal function).
2. Ask if he/she has (not) taken any antihypertensive drug (To establish/prevent risk of hypotension during the procedure).
3. Ask whether the patient has eaten (To prevent hypoglycemia).
4. Check and document vital signs
5. Weigh the patient and record ( compare post dialysis weight and determine the weight gain for non-first timer)
6. Clean the access site and drape.
7. Check dialysis prescription with the technician and program.
8. Position the patient and ensure comfort.
9. Open dialysis observation sheet.
Intra-dialysis:
[*]Note the time of connection and record
[*]Administer Heparin if you are not using heparin pump as prescribed or normal dialysis heparinization
[*]Check vitals at connection then every 30mins in a stable patient
[*]Monitor blood glucose level and administer 50%glucose in double dilution as required
[*]Observe for signs of shock, hypoglycemia, and disequilibrium syndrome
[*]Treat for such or call the attention of nephrologist
[*]Document all nursing interventions
[*]Give prescribed iron supplements
[*]Blood transfusion and observe its precautions
Post-dialysis:.
[*]Disconnect blood line from the access catheter and note disconnection time
[*]Flush the catheter and administer water soluble vitamins (B,C)
[*]Heparinize, dress and plaster in position or discontinue the access
[*]Make patient comfortable and check post dialysis vital signs
[*]Weigh the patient and document
[*]Feel feedback form and give appointment date
[*]Process the used instruments
Pre dialysis:.
1. Obtain history from the client whether he/she is still making urine( to assess residual renal function).
2. Ask if he/she has (not) taken any antihypertensive drug (To establish/prevent risk of hypotension during the procedure).
3. Ask whether the patient has eaten (To prevent hypoglycemia).
4. Check and document vital signs
5. Weigh the patient and record ( compare post dialysis weight and determine the weight gain for non-first timer)
6. Clean the access site and drape.
7. Check dialysis prescription with the technician and program.
8. Position the patient and ensure comfort.
9. Open dialysis observation sheet.
Intra-dialysis:
[*]Note the time of connection and record
[*]Administer Heparin if you are not using heparin pump as prescribed or normal dialysis heparinization
[*]Check vitals at connection then every 30mins in a stable patient
[*]Monitor blood glucose level and administer 50%glucose in double dilution as required
[*]Observe for signs of shock, hypoglycemia, and disequilibrium syndrome
[*]Treat for such or call the attention of nephrologist
[*]Document all nursing interventions
[*]Give prescribed iron supplements
[*]Blood transfusion and observe its precautions
Post-dialysis:.
[*]Disconnect blood line from the access catheter and note disconnection time
[*]Flush the catheter and administer water soluble vitamins (B,C)
[*]Heparinize, dress and plaster in position or discontinue the access
[*]Make patient comfortable and check post dialysis vital signs
[*]Weigh the patient and document
[*]Feel feedback form and give appointment date
[*]Process the used instruments
Together We Light Up The Profession one candle at a time.
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