1.1 Introduction of Peritoneal Dialysis (PD)

The following best describes the primary function of peritoneal dialysis.

• Filtering blood through an external machine

• Using the peritoneal membrane as a natural filter

• Directly cleansing the liver and kidneys

• Stimulating the production of new blood cells

The main principle behind peritoneal dialysis is/are

• Osmosis.

• Diffusion.

• Ultrafiltration.

• All of the above.

How does the dialysate solution in peritoneal dialysis typically compare to blood in terms of solute concentration?

• It has a lower concentration of waste products.

• It has a higher concentration of waste products.

• It has the same concentration of waste products.

• The concentration is irrelevant to the process.

The primary driving force for fluid removal in this process is

• hydrostatic pressure gradient.

• oncotic pressure from plasma proteins.

• osmotic gradient created by dialysate glucose.

• active transport across the peritoneal membrane

Which component of the peritoneal dialysis system acts as the semipermeable membrane?

• The dialysis solution.

• The peritoneal cavity.

• The peritoneum.

• The catheter.