Dialysis Technician Practice Exam

Why must water used for dialysate be treated?

1. To prevent chemical contamination

2. To maintain temperature

3. To remove chlorine and bacteria

4. To enhance flavor

The correct answer is: To remove chlorine and bacteria

The treatment of water used for dialysate is crucial to ensure patient safety and the efficacy of the dialysis process. Specifically, water must be treated to remove chlorine and bacteria. Chlorine is commonly found in municipal water supplies as a disinfectant but can be harmful to patients undergoing dialysis if introduced into the bloodstream. It can inactivate important enzymes and negatively affect red blood cells. Additionally, bacteria present in untreated water can lead to serious infections or inflammatory responses in patients, whose immune systems may already be compromised due to their renal condition. The removal of these contaminants is essential to minimize risks and ensure a safe dialysis treatment. While preventing chemical contamination and maintaining temperature are important concepts in dialysis, they are not the primary purposes behind treating water for dialysate. Enhancing flavor is irrelevant in this context since the primary concern is patient health and treatment efficacy, not the taste of the dialysate.