Kidney Failure

Question 1

What happens if the kidneys don’t work properly?

Answer 1

Waste substances build up in the blood and you lose your ability to control the levels of ions and water in your body.

This can eventually result in death.

Question 2

How can people with kidney failure stay alive?

Answer 2

Through dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant.

Dialysis machines perform the functions of the kidneys.

Question 3

What is the role of dialysis machines?

Answer 3

To filter the blood and keep concentrations of dissolved substances at normal levels.

Dialysis removes waste substances from the blood.

Question 4

What do dialysis machines use to filter blood?

Answer 4

Partially permeable membranes surrounded by dialysis fluid.

These membranes allow ions and waste substances to pass but not large molecules like proteins.

Question 5

What is the concentration of the dialysis fluid compared to healthy blood?

Answer 5

The same concentration of dissolved ions and glucose.

This prevents useful dissolved ions and glucose from being lost during dialysis.

Question 6

What substances diffuse across the barrier during dialysis?

Answer 6

Waste substances (such as urea), excess ions, and water.

Useful substances are retained in the blood.

Question 7

How often do many patients with kidney failure need dialysis?

Answer 7

Three times a week.

Each session takes 3-4 hours.

Question 8

What are some potential complications of dialysis?

Answer 8

Blood clots or infections.

Dialysis can be a challenging experience for patients.

Question 9

Why is dialysis considered expensive for the NHS?

Answer 9

It requires significant resources to operate the machines and provide treatment.

Despite its costs, it provides valuable time until a donor organ is found.

Question 10

What is currently the only cure for kidney failure?

Answer 10

Kidney transplant.

This procedure can eliminate the need for dialysis.

Question 11

From whom are healthy kidneys usually transplanted?

Answer 11

From people who have died suddenly.

The deceased must be on the organ donor register or carry a donor card.

Question 12

What is a risk associated with kidney donation from a living person?

Answer 12

There is a small risk to the person donating the kidney.

Living donors can donate one of their two kidneys.

Question 13

What is a major risk of receiving a donor kidney?

Answer 13

The donor kidney can be rejected by the patient’s immune system.

Patients are treated with drugs to prevent rejection, but it can still occur.

Question 14

How do the long-term costs of transplants compare to dialysis?

Answer 14

Transplants are cheaper in the long run than dialysis.

They also eliminate the hours spent on dialysis.

Question 15

What is a challenge faced by patients needing kidney transplants?

Answer 15

There are long waiting lists for kidneys.

This can prolong the time patients must rely on dialysis.