During haemodialysis, the composition and flow of the dialysis fluid (dialysate) are carefully regulated to mimic the homeostatic functions of a healthy kidney.
Which of the following statements correctly describe how homeostasis of blood solutes is maintained during haemodialysis?
- The dialysate contains glucose and amino acids at concentrations equal to those of normal blood plasma to prevent their net diffusion out of the patient's blood.
- The dialysate contains potassium ions (K+K^+K+) at normal physiological plasma concentrations to allow excess potassium to diffuse out of the blood.
- The dialysate flows in the same direction as the blood (co-current flow) through the dialyser to maintain a constant concentration gradient along the entire length of the membrane.