Water Treatment and Dialysis Equipment Flashcards

Why must the dialysate temperature be maintained between 35°C and 37°C during hemodialysis?

Answer: To prevent hemolysis and maintain cardiovascular stability

Dialysate temperature affects patient thermal balance; overheating causes hemolysis and vasodilation with hypotension, while cooling can reduce intradialytic hypotension risk.

What is the function of the bicarbonate cartridge in a bicarbonate dialysate delivery system?

Answer: Provide the bicarbonate concentrate dissolved by proportioning water

The bicarbonate cartridge contains dry or liquid sodium bicarbonate concentrate that is dissolved by proportioning water to create the bicarbonate portion of the final dialysate.

What problem occurs when calcium or magnesium precipitates out of dialysate concentrate?

Answer: Scale buildup in tubing that can contaminate dialysate and clog proportioning systems

Precipitation of calcium and magnesium carbonates causes scale buildup in dialysate pathways, potentially contaminating the dialysate and clogging proportioning pumps.

What is the significance of monitoring the pressure differential across the RO membrane?

Answer: Indicates membrane fouling or scaling when differential increases beyond normal

An increasing pressure differential across the RO membrane indicates fouling, scaling, or biofouling, signaling the need for cleaning or membrane replacement.

A dialysis patient develops sudden fever, chills, and hypotension during treatment. After ruling out sepsis from access, what water-related contamination should be suspected?

Answer: Endotoxin contamination of dialysate causing pyrogenic reaction

Sudden fever, rigors, and hypotension during dialysis without obvious access infection suggest a pyrogenic reaction from endotoxin contamination of the water or dialysate.

How frequently must dialysis machines be disinfected according to standard infection control practice?

Answer: After every patient treatment

Dialysis machines must be disinfected after every patient treatment to prevent cross-contamination and protect subsequent patients from infectious agents.