Dialysis: A Lifesaving Therapy for Kidney Failure Patients
Updated on: May 21, 2025 | By Team UP Nursing Notes
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| Dialysis: Complete Guide for Nurses and Students | Types, Procedure, Care & PDF Notes |
✨ What is Dialysis?
Dialysis is a critical medical procedure that replaces the functions of the kidneys when they are no longer capable of doing so effectively. It removes waste products, excess fluids, and toxins from the blood when the kidneys fail.
✅️ Why is Dialysis Done?
Kidneys play a key role in filtering waste and balancing fluids. When kidneys fail, dialysis becomes necessary to:
- Maintain fluid balance
- Remove waste and toxins
- Correct electrolyte imbalances
- Improve quality of life
📚 Types of Dialysis
There are two primary types of dialysis:
1. Hemodialysis (HD)
Blood is filtered through a dialyzer using a dialysis machine.
- Location: Hospital, dialysis center, or home
- Time: 3 times/week, 3–5 hours per session
2. Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)
The peritoneal membrane in the abdomen acts as the filter.
- Location: Home
- Time: Multiple exchanges/day or overnight (APD)
🧠 Indications for Dialysis
Dialysis is recommended in conditions such as:
- End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
- Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
- Uremic symptoms (nausea, confusion)
- Severe electrolyte imbalance
- Fluid overload not responsive to diuretics
🏥 Procedure Overview
Hemodialysis Steps:
- Vascular access creation – AV fistula, graft, or catheter
- Blood withdrawal – Via needles into the dialysis machine
- Filtration – Using a semipermeable membrane
- Return – Filtered blood returned to body
Peritoneal Dialysis Steps:
- Catheter insertion into the peritoneal cavity
- Dialysate infusion
- Dwell time – Waste diffuses into dialysate
- Drainage of waste-filled fluid
✔️ Complications of Dialysis
- Infection (especially peritonitis in PD)
- Hypotension
- Cramps
- Anemia
- Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome
- Access site problems
📍Nursing Responsibilities During Dialysis
Nurses play a central role in dialysis care:
- Pre-procedure: Monitor vitals, assess AV access, explain procedure
- During: Monitor patient condition, manage machine parameters
- Post-procedure: Document, check for bleeding, educate patient
- PD-specific: Maintain sterile technique, inspect catheter site
🫁 Patient Education
- Importance of adhering to dialysis schedule
- Diet and fluid restrictions
- Signs of infection or complications
- How to care for access site
✅️ Advantages of Dialysis
- Removes waste from blood
- Balances electrolytes
- Extends survival in ESRD
- Improves symptoms and quality of life
📎 Download PDF Notes
Click Here to Download Dialysis PDF Notes
These notes are free to download and designed for nursing students and professionals.
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| Download detailed nursing notes on dialysis. Learn about hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, nursing responsibilities, complication etc. |
Conclusion Dialysis is more than a technical procedure—it's a crucial aspect of nursing care that demands clinical expertise and empathetic communication. Whether you're a student preparing for exams or a professional updating your skills, these dialysis notes are your go-to resource.
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