Final answer:
Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is different from conventional hemodialysis because it removes solutes and water over 24 hours at a slower, gentler rate, which is beneficial for critically ill, hemodynamically unstable patients. The correct answer is opton a.
Step-by-step explanation:
Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and conventional intermittent hemodialysis are both renal replacement therapies used in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) or other conditions requiring renal support. However, they differ significantly in their approach and mode of operation.
CRRT utilizes a hemofilter as a key component of the therapy. The hemofilter serves as a semi-permeable membrane, allowing the passage of solutes and fluids based on pressure differentials. During CRRT, blood flows through the hemofilter continuously, allowing for the gradual removal of solutes and fluids. This method enables the removal of excess fluids and waste products at a slower and more continuous rate than intermittent hemodialysis.
On the other hand, conventional intermittent hemodialysis involves the use of a dialyzer, which relies on diffusion and osmosis to remove solutes and excess fluids during relatively shorter sessions.
Therefore, option a, stating that a hemofilter is used to facilitate ultrafiltration, is accurate. CRRT employs this method to achieve a slower and more continuous removal of solutes and fluids compared to the faster, intermittent removal seen in conventional hemodialysis.