Use of an artificial kidney during hemodialysis may result in : (a) Nitrogenous waste build-up in the body (b) Non-elimination of excess potassium ions (c) Reduced absorption of calcium ions from gastro-intestinal tract (d) Reduced RBC production Which of the following options is the most appropriate?
Answer: (C) (c) and (d) are correct. Answer: (C) (c) and (d) are correct.
- A.(a) and (b) are correct
- B.(b) and (c) are correct
- C.(c) and (d) are correct✓
- D.(a) and (d) are correct
Correct Answer
(C) (c) and (d) are correct
Solution & Explanation
Answer: (C) (c) and (d) are correct. Solution: An artificial kidney clears nitrogenous wastes (urea) and excess ions from the blood, so options (a) and (b) are wrong — the dialysing fluid has the same composition as plasma except the nitrogenous wastes, so these freely move out and are removed. However, the artificial kidney only filters blood; it cannot replace the kidney's endocrine roles. The natural kidney activates vitamin D (needed for calcium absorption from the gut) and secretes erythropoietin (needed for RBC production), so prolonged dialysis leaves these unaddressed, causing reduced calcium absorption (c) and reduced RBC production (d). NCERT Reference: Ch 16, p.214, line(s) 25-29 — "composition as that of plasma except the nitrogenous wastes... As nitrogenous wastes are absent in the dialysing fluid, these substances freely move out, thereby clearing the blood."