Access to the bloodstream
Chapter 12 Access to the bloodstream Historical background Effective hemodialysis became a reality in the 1940s. Each treatment required a surgical cutdown. Hollow tubes (cannulas) of glass or metal were…
Dialyzers, dialysate, and delivery systems
Chapter 6 Dialyzers, dialysate, and delivery systems The dialyzer is a selective filter for removing toxic or unwanted solutes from the blood. The filtration process uses a semipermeable membrane between…
Medication problems and dialysis
Chapter 17 Medication problems and dialysis Dialysis patients routinely take an average of 10 different medications and experience adverse drug reactions at least three times more frequently than the general…
Basic chemistry of body fluids and electrolytes
Chapter 3 Basic chemistry of body fluids and electrolytes Normal kidneys maintain the balance between body water and the substances dissolved in it within the narrow limits necessary for life….
Acute kidney injury and dialysis
Chapter 18 Acute kidney injury and dialysis Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the contemporary name for what was formerly termed acute renal failure. The new name more accurately describes the…
Transplantation
Chapter 20 Transplantation Nephrology nurses who primarily care for patients undergoing dialysis treatment have several roles involving transplantation. They educate and counsel patients regarding the option of transplantation, and they…
Water treatment
Chapter 8 Water treatment Water is a complex and incompletely understood chemical compound. The purest form of water is freshly formed rain as it leaves the cloud. It is also…
Patient and machine monitoring and assessment
Chapter 13 Patient and machine monitoring and assessment Initial and ongoing assessment of the patient and continuous monitoring of dialysis equipment are among the most vital functions of dialysis personnel….
Nutrition management
Chapter 14 Nutrition management Nutrition plays a critical role in the management of renal disease. The diet will vary considerably depending on the type and stage of renal disease as…
Management of quality in dialysis care
Chapter 24 Management of quality in dialysis care Like all healthcare, dialysis programs are undergoing a revolution in accountability. The government, accrediting and regulatory agencies, payers, and patients are holding…
