Certified Dialysis Nurse Practice Test

Peritoneal dialysis is a renal replacement therapy that utilizes the peritoneum, which is the lining of the abdominal cavity, as a natural filter to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood. In this method, a sterile solution called dialysate is introduced into the abdominal cavity through a catheter. The waste and excess fluid from the blood pass through the peritoneal membrane and enter the dialysate, which is then drained away. This process is performed multiple times throughout the day or continuously at night.

This method is essential because it can be performed at home and does not require the same level of infrastructure as hemodialysis, which typically takes place in a specialized clinic. Understanding peritoneal dialysis helps recognize the different approaches to managing patients with kidney failure, emphasizing the versatility and adaptability of renal replacement therapies. In contrast, the other options describe methods or concepts that do not accurately represent peritoneal dialysis.