What is the role of the dialyzer in hemodialysis?

The dialyzer plays a crucial role in hemodialysis by filtering and cleansing the blood. This device acts as an artificial kidney, where blood is drawn from the patient's body and passed through a semipermeable membrane. The semipermeable membrane allows waste products, excess salts, and toxins to pass through while retaining larger molecules such as proteins and blood cells.

As the blood flows through the dialyzer, dialysis solution, or dialysate, is on the other side of the membrane. This solution helps to create a concentration gradient that enables the removal of unwanted substances from the blood. The process effectively mimics the natural filtration function of the kidneys, which are responsible for maintaining the body’s homeostasis by removing waste and regulating fluid and electrolyte balance.

In contrast, other functions described in the alternatives do not pertain to the dialyzer. While maintaining electrolyte balance is a broader goal of hemodialysis, it is the dialyzer specifically that is responsible for the actual filtering process. Monitoring blood glucose levels and administering anticoagulants are performed by other components of the hemodialysis system, such as blood glucose monitors and medication administration systems, respectively. Therefore, the primary role of the dialyzer is accurately