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When a patient has blood cleansed by hemodialysis, the blood is circulated through dialysis tubing submerged in a bath that contains the following solutes in water: 0.6% NaCl , 0.04% KCl , 0.2% NaHCO3 , and 0.72% glucose (all percentages are w/v). Suggest one or more reasons why the dialysis tubing is not submerged in pure water.
Accepted Answer
The dialysis tubing is not submerged in pure water because it would cause significant osmotic pressure differences, leading to:
1. Cell lysis: Pure water has a much lower solute concentration than blood. If the tubing was submerged in pure water, water would rush into the blood cells due to osmosis, causing them to swell and burst.
2. Electrolyte imbalances: Blood contains specific electrolytes like Na+, K+, and Cl- in a tightly regulated balance. Pure water lacks these electrolytes, disrupting the balance and potentially causing severe health issues.
3. Hypoglycemia: The blood glucose concentration needs to be maintained within a specific range. Submerging the tubing in pure water would dilute the glucose significantly, leading to hypoglycemia.
The dialysis solution is designed to mimic the composition of blood plasma, allowing for the removal of waste products while maintaining the necessary electrolyte balance and glucose levels.
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