kidney disease

• Why is kidney failure considered dangerous?

  It can be fatal within a short time
• How can kidney failure manifest in terms of duration?

  It can be sudden or long-term
• What is the effect of kidney failure on the glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?

  GFR decreases due to less blood filtration
• What can happen if potassium ion concentrations continue to increase?

  It may lead to arrhythmia and cardiac arrest
• What role does sodium play in the body?

  It is important for neuromuscular function
• Can humans survive with one functioning kidney?

  Yes, they can survive with one kidney
• What happens if both kidneys are damaged?

  Build-up of toxic wastes will be fatal
• What are the two forms of treatment for kidney failure?

  • Renal dialysis: removes toxins and waste from blood
  • Kidney transplant: replaces non-functioning kidneys
• What is a kidney transplant?

  Replacing non-functioning kidneys with functioning ones
• What is the term used to describe the separation of small and large molecules using a membrane?

  Dialysis
• What type of dialysis is used in renal dialysis?

  Haemodialysis
• What machine is used in haemodialysis?

  Haemodialyser
• How does the haemodialyser function?

  Acts as an artificial kidney
• What is the dialysis fluid known as?

  Dialysate
• Why does glucose not move across the membrane?

  No concentration gradient exists
• How does the salt concentration in the dialysate affect diffusion?

  Movement occurs only with an imbalance
• What happens to the dialysis fluid in the machine?

  It is continually refreshed
• Why is urea removed from the blood during dialysis?

  It diffuses down its concentration gradient
• How does the flow direction of blood and dialysate affect dialysis?

  Creates a concentration gradient
• How long does it take to remove almost all urea from the blood?

  Approximately 3 hours
• What drug is added to the blood during dialysis?

  Heparin
• What is the purpose of heparin in dialysis?

  Prevents the formation of blood clots
• What are the lifestyle restrictions for patients on renal dialysis?

  Regular hospital trips and diet control
• Why must patients control their diet during dialysis?

  To minimize urea production and salt intake
• What is an alternative to dialysis treatments for kidney failure?

  Kidney transplant
• How many kidneys are required for a transplant?

  Only one kidney is required
• What must be found for a kidney transplant?

  A compatible blood group donor
• Why must kidney transplant patients take medication?

  To prevent immune system rejection of the kidney
• What is a significant risk associated with kidney transplants?

  Immune response to the new kidney
• How does 'tissue typing' help in kidney transplants?

  It reduces the risk of rejection
• What must kidney transplant patients take for the rest of their lives?

  Immunosuppressant drugs
• What are some long-term side effects of immunosuppressant drugs?

  Increased vulnerability to infections
• What is a major issue regarding kidney donors?

  Not enough donors to meet demand
• How does dialysis affect a patient's lifestyle?

  It ties them to treatment several times a week
• What is a limitation of dialysis compared to a kidney transplant?

  Dialysis only works for a limited time
• What is the primary role of the kidneys?

  Vital for ultrafiltration and reabsorption
• What is ultrafiltration in the kidneys?

  Removing small molecules from blood into nephron
• Which small molecules are removed during ultrafiltration?

  Urea, ions, glucose, water
• What is selective reabsorption in the kidneys?

  Reabsorbing useful substances into the blood
• Which substances are typically reabsorbed during selective reabsorption?

  Glucose, amino acids, water