"Artificial kidneys" do not function in all respects like a natural kidney. What is one inherent problem and what is its practical solution?
A) Artificial systems are less efficient; run the artificial kidney 24 hours a day.
B) Artificial kidneys are complex and must be operated at hospitals; train home care nurses.
C) Dialysis uses passive diffusion and some kidney functions require selective active transport; restrict diet to limit the variety of waste molecules.
D) Artificial kidneys treat the blood directly, requiring IV tubing, etc.; invent an alternative to avoid the bloodstream.
E) Blood coagulates any time it leaves the body; dilute the blood.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Dialysis, which is the most common form of artificial kidney, uses passive diffusion to remove waste molecules from the blood. However, some kidney functions, such as the active transport of certain molecules, require selective mechanisms that cannot be replicated by a dialysis machine. To overcome this problem, patients with artificial kidneys must restrict their diet to limit the variety of waste molecules in their bloodstream. This helps to reduce the workload on the artificial kidney and improve its effectiveness. Therefore, choice C is the correct answer.

"Artificial Kidneys" Do Not Function in All Respects Like a Natural