Dialysis Services at Guthrie

Glossary of Terms

This glossary provides definitions of many dialysis-related terms.

Access - a way to get into the body; for hemodialysis you access the bloodstream; for peritoneal dialysis, you access the peritoneal membrane.

Acute Renal Failure - a sudden stoppage of kidney function, which can occur in a matter of hours or days.

Anemia - a condition in which there is a reduction in the number of circulating red blood cells. Anemia causes paleness, weakness and fatigue, as well as other symptoms.

Antibiotic - a drug used to combat infection.

Anticoagulants - medication used to help prevent blood from clotting.

Arterial Line - tubing that carries blood from the body to the artificial kidney.

Artery - vessel carrying blood away from the heart.

Artificial Kidney - also called a "dialyzer." A filtering device that removes excess fluid and waste products from the bloodstream and corrects chemical imbalances of the blood.

Bilateral Nephrectomy - surgical removal of both kidneys.

Bladder - the sac in which urine produced by the kidneys is collected and stored until the urine is released from the body.

Blood Chemistries - terms used to indicate the measurement of certain chemical forms in the blood. Examples: potassium, sodium, chloride, calcium, phosphorus.

Blood Flow Rate - the amount of blood passing through the artificial kidney each minute.

Blood Pressure - the pulsating pressure of blood flowing through an artery.

Blood Pump - a pump that carries blood from the vascular access through the artificial kidney in hemodialysis.

Blood Transfusion - introduction of blood into body circulation.

BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen) - a metabolic end-product of protein not needed by the body.

Bruit - the vibration sensation or buzzing heard over the vein of a fistula.

Calcium - a mineral found in the blood that is important to bone growth and formation and body functioning.

Catheter - a tube inserted into the peritoneal cavity for putting in and removing solution used in peritoneal dialysis.

Chronic Renal Failure - the slow destruction of normal kidney tissue that occurs over months or years and results in permanent kidney failure.

Clamp – a device used to seal off the catheter so that nothing can enter or come out of the catheter. It may be done by closing the clamps that are provided on the catheter.

Clotting Time - a method of determining the length of time it takes for blood to clot. Heparin dosage is determined by clotting times.

Dry Weight – your body weight without the excess fluid that your kidneys are unable to process. Your dry weight is individualized and is determined by the nursing staff and physician over your first few treatments. This weight will be your targeted goal for each treatment, so you will be weighed prior to and after each treatment.

Edema – extra fluid in the body that causes swelling in the feet, legs, hands, face or elsewhere.

Exit site – the place on your body where the catheter comes out, either the base of your neck or the upper chest wall.

Hemodialysis – a treatment that cleans the blood using a machine. The machine takes blood from a large vein, cleans it through the dialysis machine with the use of an artificial kidney, then returns the blood to the client. Usual treatments are 3 times a week for 3-4.5 hours.

Insertion site -- the small incision on your neck or chest wall where the catheter enters the vein.

Peritoneal dialysis – a treatment that cleans the blood using the peritoneal membrane. Dialysis solution called dianeal is put into the peritoneal cavity through a catheter. After 4-6 hours the solution drained and new solution is put into the cavity. This takes place 4 times daily by performing exchanges or by using a machine at night.

Sterile – free from all germs.

Toxins – waste products and poisons that build up naturally in your body and are normally removed by the kidney. Patients with renal failure must undergo dialysis to remove toxins.

Tunneling – the procedure in which a Permcath® or a Tesio® catheter is pulled under the skin to exit the chest wall during catheter insertion.