Dialysis Technician Practice Exam

What was the first significant development in dialysis technology?

1. The artificial kidney

2. Dr. Kolff's rotating drum

3. Peritoneal dialysis

4. Dialysis machines

The correct answer is: Dr. Kolff's rotating drum

The first significant development in dialysis technology is attributed to Dr. Kolff's rotating drum. This innovation, created in the 1940s, marked a pivotal moment in renal therapy as it was one of the earliest devices specifically designed for dialysis treatment. Dr. Willem Kolff developed this machine to treat patients with kidney failure by simulating the natural filtration process of the kidneys. The rotating drum functioned by continually circulating blood through a series of tubes that were surrounded by a semi-permeable membrane. This allowed for the exchange of waste products and excess fluid from the blood into a dialysate solution, effectively clearing toxins and providing a lifesaving treatment for patients with acute kidney failure. While other options, such as peritoneal dialysis and the artificial kidney, are important advancements in the field, they came after the introduction of Dr. Kolff's rotating drum. The rotating drum laid the groundwork for future developments in dialysis technology, leading to the machines we use today.