Module 4

I learned in this module that the water should be treated before it can
be used in HD since it has direct contact with the blood of the patient
and can be fatal if it has contaminants. Dialysis technologist checks
that water in the institution to make sure it will pass in the minimum
standards that are set and for quality control.
Acetate dialysate is not used anymore due to the fact that it can cause
hypotension even it is convenient for the institution to use it. It has a
long shelf life and not prone to contamination.
What is now used is bicarb dialysate because it improves cardiac
instability since bicarbonate is immediately available as physiologic
buffer.
The 3 components of dialysate are acid concentrate, bicarbonate
concentrate, and treated water.
Module 5
I learned in this module blood has higher concentration compared to
dialysate that is why with the use of dialyzer, the molecules can move
back and forth. Factors that can affect the movement of these
molecules are their size, surface area, thickness, size, and number of
pores in dialyzer, temp., and concentration of solutes in the blood.
Factors that can affect the clearance are permeability of the dialyzer,
flow rate, UF rate, and concentration gradient.
Another thing that I learned in the module also is that only the small
size molecules can pass the dialyzer (artificial kidney) that is why RBC,
WBC, and platelets are not able to penetrate across the member
because they have bigger size compared to solutes (creatinine, urea,
glucose, phosphate) <500 daltons.
The formula for UFR = volume to be removed/treatment time
Dialyzer has 4 ports. 2 end ports for blood and 2 side ports for
dialysate.