Final answer:
Chemical analysis of hemodialysis water is essential to ensure treatment safety by determining the pH level, detecting contaminants, measuring conductivity, and analyzing the mineral content.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of chemical analysis of water used for hemodialysis includes several critical aspects such as determining the pH level, checking for the presence of contaminants, measuring the conductivity, and analyzing the mineral content of the water. It is essential to ensure that water used for hemodialysis is of high purity to prevent complications during treatment.
To perform a proper chemical analysis, one would typically observe the water to see if it is clear or cloudy, examine samples under a microscope to identify any particulate matter, test the pH with litmus or pH papers which measure the concentration of hydrogen ions, and filter the water to check for suspended solids. Testing the pH is particularly important as blood also helps to maintain the chemical balance of the body and blood used in hemodialysis must have the correct acidity or basicity to avoid disrupting bodily functions. Accurate measurement of pH is attainable with pH test strips or more advanced pH meters.
Furthermore, testing for mineral content such as magnesium and calcium is crucial as they can affect the water hardness and thus the quality of hemodialysis. The presence of contaminants like chlorine can also be detrimental, which is why they must be measured and filtered out if necessary. Detection and quantitation of these substances determine if the water meets medical-grade purity standards for safe use in hemodialysis.