Reference Index Page 4
Dialysate
Dialysate is one of the two fluids used in dialysis. The other fluid being blood. The term
dialysate is borrowed from physical chemistry and refers to fluids and
solutes which have crossed a membrane.
The main function of the dialysate, is to remove waste
material from the blood and to keep useful material from leaving the
blood. Electrolytes and water are some materials included in the dialysate so that thier level in the blood can be controlled.
As previously mentioned, the make up of dialysate or the dialysis 'bath', is: sodium
chloride, sodim bicarbonate or sodium acetate, calcium chloride, potassium
chloride, and magnesium chloride. This is the general composition of
dialysate, but other compounds such as glucose may also be included. Glucose is sometimes
included.
