Kidney failure

• What can cause kidney failure?

  Blood loss, high blood pressure, diabetes
• Why is kidney failure considered dangerous?

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

  It can be sudden or long-term
• What happens to substances in the body when kidneys fail?

  Urea, water, and toxins are retained
• What is the effect of decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?

  It leads to a build-up of toxins in blood
• What is disrupted in the blood due to kidney failure?

  The electrolyte balance is disrupted
• What can excess potassium ions in the blood cause?

  Abdominal cramps and muscle weakness
• 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 fluid and acid/base balance
• What can a build-up of sodium cause?

  Disorientation and muscle spasms
• What are the two forms of treatment for kidney failure?

  • Renal dialysis
  • Kidney transplant

  
• Can humans survive with one functioning kidney?

  Yes, they can survive with one kidney
• What is renal dialysis?

  It removes toxins and waste from blood

  
• What is the role of the haemodialyser?

  It acts as an artificial kidney
• How does dialysis work?

  It separates small and large molecules
• What does the dialysate contain?

  Substances needed in blood at normal levels
• Why does glucose not move across the dialysis membrane?

  There is no concentration gradient for glucose
• How does the dialysis fluid maintain concentration gradients?

  It is continually refreshed during treatment
• What happens to urea during dialysis?

  It diffuses into the dialysate for disposal
• Why is heparin added to the blood during dialysis?

  It prevents the formation of blood clots
• What are the restrictions imposed by renal dialysis?

  Patients must control diet and attend treatments
• What is a kidney transplant?

  It replaces non-functioning kidneys with a donor kidney
• What must be considered for a kidney transplant?

  A compatible blood group must be found
• What medication must kidney transplant patients take?

  Immunosuppressant drugs to prevent rejection
• What are the disadvantages of kidney transplants?

  Risk of rejection and need for immunosuppressants
• What are the advantages of kidney transplants over dialysis?

  • More freedom from treatment schedules
  • Less restrictive diets
  • No ongoing dialysis costs
  • Long-term solution compared to dialysis
• What should be included in answers about dialysis?

  Differences in concentration gradients should be mentioned