What are the compartments of a dialyzer?

The correct answer highlights the primary function of a dialyzer in hemodialysis, which is to facilitate the exchange of waste products between the blood and the dialysate solution.

A dialyzer consists of two main compartments: the blood compartment and the dialysate compartment. The blood compartment is where the patient's blood flows through hollow fibers or membranes, while the dialysate, a specially formulated fluid, flows through the outside of these fibers. This arrangement allows for the removal of waste products, toxins, and excess fluid from the blood, and the diffusion of essential substances back into the patient's blood.

The design of the dialyzer ensures that there is no mixing of blood and dialysate, maintaining safety and efficacy in the dialysis process. As these two compartments operate in close proximity, they create a gradient that promotes the movement of waste from the blood into the dialysate based on concentration differences.

Understanding the function and structure of the blood and dialysate compartments is crucial for grasping how dialysis therapy helps to cleanse the blood and manage patient health effectively.