BONENT CHT key terms

The site on the body used to reach the bloodstream for dialysis, such as a fistula, graft, or central catheter; its condition determines how well treatment can be delivered.

A surgically created connection between an artery and a vein, usually in the forearm, that enlarges the vein so it can be repeatedly needled for dialysis.

A synthetic tube surgically placed between an artery and a vein to create a high-flow access when a patient's own vessels cannot support a fistula.

A tube placed in a large vein, often the internal jugular, to provide temporary or longer-term dialysis access; it carries a higher risk of infection and clotting.

The technique of inserting two needles into a fistula or graft, one to draw blood to the dialyzer and one to return cleaned blood to the patient.

A complication in which the needle tip passes through the wall of the access vessel, letting blood leak into surrounding tissue and causing swelling and pain.

A collection of clotted blood under the skin, often forming at an access site after a needle is dislodged or a vessel leaks.

The target body weight at which a patient has no excess fluid, normal blood pressure, and no swelling after ultrafiltration; it is used to set fluid removal goals.

Removal of excess plasma water across the dialyzer membrane, driven by a pressure difference, to bring the patient toward the prescribed dry weight.

A fall in blood pressure during dialysis, often from removing fluid too quickly; signs include dizziness, nausea, cramping, and sweating.

An adverse response during treatment to a dialyzer or its membrane, ranging from back pain and itching to severe breathing problems and shock.

A number that estimates dialysis adequacy by comparing the clearance of urea multiplied by treatment time to the patient's total body water.

The percentage drop in blood urea nitrogen from before to after a dialysis session; a common measure of how well urea was removed.

A shortage of red blood cells common in kidney failure because the kidneys make too little erythropoietin; it is treated with iron and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents.

A water treatment process that pushes water through a semipermeable membrane under pressure, removing most dissolved salts, bacteria, and other contaminants.

A treatment step in which water passes through activated carbon beds that remove chlorine, chloramines, and organic materials before the water is used for dialysis.

An ion-exchange tank that swaps calcium and magnesium in incoming water for sodium, preventing scale buildup on the reverse osmosis membrane.

A test of water leaving the carbon tanks to confirm chlorine and chloramine have been removed; it must be performed before each shift or treatment area use.

A measure of how well dialysate conducts electricity, which reflects the concentration of dissolved salts and confirms correct mixing of water and concentrate.

A piece of bacterial cell wall that can pass through some water filters and trigger fever, chills, and inflammation when it reaches the patient's blood.

The fluid made by mixing treated water with acid and bicarbonate concentrates; it flows past the dialyzer membrane to draw wastes out of the blood.

An alkaline solution mixed with acid concentrate and treated water to form dialysate, helping correct the acidosis that is common in kidney failure.

A cylindrical device holding thousands of thin capillary membranes; blood runs inside the fibers while dialysate flows outside, allowing waste and fluid to move across.

The pressure difference between the blood and dialysate sides of the dialyzer membrane; it is the driving force for removing fluid.

A roller pump on the dialysis machine that pushes blood through the tubing and dialyzer at a set rate.

A sensor on the venous blood line that detects air bubbles and stops the blood pump before air can reach the patient.

Air entering the bloodstream through the extracorporeal circuit; it can block blood flow and cause chest pain, shortness of breath, or collapse.

An alarm set off by pressure outside the expected range in the blood return line, which may signal a kink, clot, infiltration, or needle disconnection.

Infection control practices that treat all blood and body fluids as potentially infectious, including hand hygiene, gloves, gowns, and safe sharps handling.

Cleaning hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based rub; it is the single most effective action for preventing infection spread in dialysis units.

A series of injections that protects against hepatitis B; recommended for all dialysis patients and staff because of high exposure risk.

Gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection worn to block contact with blood, body fluids, and contaminated surfaces during patient care.

Use of chemicals to destroy or reduce microorganisms on dialysis machines, surfaces, and internal fluid pathways between treatments.

A puncture-resistant, labeled box used to discard used needles, syringes, and lancets immediately after use to prevent injury.

The Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and Technology, a professional organization that certifies hemodialysis technicians and nurses through examinations.

Federal rules from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services that dialysis facilities must meet to be paid by Medicare.

The set of tasks and limits a dialysis technician is legally allowed to perform, defined by state law and facility policy.

A written statement of a patient's wishes about medical treatment, such as resuscitation, to be followed if the patient cannot speak for themselves.

A federal law that protects the privacy and security of patients' health information and limits who may see or use it.