Project PBL 4

(Chapter 13)
(Activity 13.2)(m/s 258)
Name : Tee Ke Xuan
Class : 4 Theta
Teacher : Pn. Salmah
Activity 13.2 :
Gather information on and discuss haemodialysis
Materials : Internet, reference materials

Procedure :
1) In groups of four, gather information about haemodialysis.

2) Discuss the following.

(a) Study the reasons of renal failure that cause a person to undergo haemodialysis.
(b) Explain how haemodialysis works.

3) Make a report on your findings and present it to the class.

4) You can also carry out an activity to raise funds for haemodialysis centres through awareness
campaigns about the importance of helping patients in need of treatment.

Discussion :

1) Why would someone need haemodialysis?

2) How does haemodialysis work?
3) What is the effect on patients who do not receive treatment?
Answer for discussion

1) Someone needs haemodialysis if that person’s kidneys no longer remove enough

wastes and fluid from its blood to keep itself healthy. This usually happens when someone
have only 10 to 15 percent of its kidney function left. That person may have symptoms
such as nausea, vomiting, swelling and fatigue.

2) A pump in the haemodialysis machine slowly draws out your blood, then sends it
through another machine called a dialyzer. This works like a kidney and filters out extra
salt, waste, and fluid. Your cleaned blood is sent back into your body through the second
needle in your arm.

3) Without haemodialysis, toxins build up in the blood, causing a condition called uremia.
The patient will receive whatever medicines are necessary to manage symptoms of
uremia and other medical conditions. Depending on how quickly the toxins build up,
death usually follows anywhere from a few days to several weeks.
Introduction
What is haemodialysis?

Haemodialysis is a way of replacing some of the functions of your kidney, if your kidneys
have failed, by using a machine to filter and clean your blood. Blood is pumped out of your
body to the machine where it is passed through a series of tiny tubes, in an 'artificial kidney'
or 'dialyser'.
Reasons of renal failure that cause a person to undergo haemodialysis :

• Abnormal brain function (uremic encephalopathy)

• Certain other severe symptoms, such as loss of appetite or vomiting and weight loss
• Inflammation of the sac around the heart (pericarditis)
• A high level of acid in the blood (acidosis) that does not decrease despite other
treatments
• Heart failure
• Total body fluid overload
• Fluid overload in the lungs (pulmonary edema) that does not respond to other
treatments
• A very high level of potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia)
• A high level of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia)
• Greatly reduced kidney function
How haemodialysis works?

Our kidneys usually filter and remove waste

products and excess fluid from the blood.
Haemodialysis is a way of replacing some of
the functions of your kidney, if your kidneys
have failed, by using a machine to filter and
clean your blood.

Blood is pumped out of your body to the

Are special diet and medications needed during haemodialysis?

Most people on haemodialysis need to adjust their diet. The major change in diet is usually a
reduction in foods high in potassium, phosphate and sodium (salt). But a kidney dietitian will
work with you to create a plan which is tailor-made to your needs and lifestyle.

One of the major restrictions that you may find difficult is your fluid intake, but reducing your
salt intake may help you feel less thirsty. In the early stages of haemodialysis you may still pass
some urine but, as time progresses the volume will decrease. In between dialysis sessions fluid
tends to accumulate and if severe, shortness of breath can occur.

Urine measurements will be made from time to time to assess your fluid allowance, and how
much dialysis you need. When and if changes are required, your dietician or kidney nurse will
discuss these with you.
What problems might a person face during haemodialysis?

The person may be at increased risk of developing sepsis (blood poisoning). This is caused
by bacteria entering the body and spreading through the blood, potentially leading to
multiple organ failure. If that person develop sepsis, that person might need to be admitted
to hospital and treated with antibiotics.

Kidney dialysis patients are more at risk of chest and other infections and The Department
of Health advises kidney dialysis patients to be vaccinated against pneumonia and
hepatitis B as well as having an annual flu jab.

Other potential issues may include blockages in your fistula caused by blood clots and
poor blood flow due to narrowing of blood vessels, but the person’s medical team will be
able to help him/her if these do occur.
How will haemodialysis make a person feel?

A person may feel anxious, angry and upset about the upheaval to his/her
personal, home, work and family life as they face the prospect of long-term
haemodialysis and the restrictions associated with it.

This is all perfectly normal so he/she can always talk to a kidney doctor or nurse
about any concerns that may be affecting them physically and psychologically.
They may also be able to put him/her in touch with other professionals, such as
counsellors and social workers, who can help them with their mental wellbeing
and give them information about benefits and other financial advice.
The importance of helping patients in need of treatment

Giving quality patient care can absolutely have an effect on health outcomes. It contributes
to a more positive patient recovery experience and can improve the physical and mental
quality of life for people with serious illnesses, such as cancer.

Medical care has several important functions other than restoring or maintaining health.
These other functions are assessment and certification of health status, prognostication,
segregation of the ill to limit communication of illness, and helping to cope with the
problems of illness.
Conclusion
To sum up, every forms of kidney
disease which requires dialysis are
curable in some instances. Even if it is
not curable, the patient can still lead a
meaningful life while on dialysis.
References from Internet/ reference materials

Internet

1. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/hemodialysis
2. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/kidney-dialysis
3. https://www.davita.com/treatment-services/dialysis/what-happens-if-someone-stops-dialysis
4. https://kidneyresearchuk.org/kidney-health-information/living-with-kidney-disease/care-and-treatments-for-
people-with-kidney-failure/haemodialysis/
5. https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/kidney-and-urinary-tract-disorders/dialysis/dialysis
6. https://www.kidneyfund.org/kidney-disease/kidney-failure/treatment-of-kidney-failure/hemodialysis/
7. https://www.healthline.com/health/dialysis
8. https://carrington.edu/blog/the-importance-of-patient-care/
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1434713/

Reference materials

1. Handbook of Dialysis Therapy

2. Review for Haemodialysis