From Canvas (Treatment Vocabulary) - Unit 12: The Urinary System

Extracorporeal Lithotripsy

A non-invasive mechanical procedure for breaking up renal calculi (kidney stones) so they can easily pass through the ureters. This process is also commonly known as extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy.

Peritoneal Dialysis

A mechanical filtering process used to cleanse the blood of waste products, draw off excess fluids, and regulate body chemistry when the kidneys fail to function properly. This method utilizes the patient's own peritoneal membrane as the filter.

Hemodialysis

A process of removing excess fluids and toxins from the blood by continually shunting a patient’s blood from the body into a dialysis machine for filtering, and then returning the clean blood back into the patient’s bloodstream. It usually requires three treatments a week, lasting 3 to 4 hours at a time, and may be performed at a dialysis center or at home.

Arteriovenous Fistula

A surgical access vessel created in the forearm for use with hemodialysis. An opening or fistula is made between an artery and a vein, causing the flow of arterial blood into the venous system to distend the vein, which provides a large enough vessel with a strong enough blood flow for the hemodialysis connection.

Kidney Transplantation

The surgical implantation of a healthy human donor kidney into the body of a patient with irreversible renal failure to restore kidney function and eliminate dependence on dialysis. The donor organ may come from a living donor (usually a blood relative) or a cadaver donor (a nonliving match). It is surgically placed in the iliac fossa, where the donor renal artery is connected to the recipient’s iliac artery, the donor renal vein is connected to the recipient’s iliac vein, and the donor ureter is connected to the recipient’s bladder. The kidney usually functions once it is in place.

Catheterization

The introduction of a tubular catheter into a body cavity or organ, such as the bladder, to instill a medical substance or remove a fluid.

Cystectomy

The surgical removal or excision of the urinary bladder.

Cystolithectomy

The surgical excision or removal of a stone directly from the urinary bladder.

Diuretics

Medications prescribed to reduce the amount of fluid retained in the body and prevent edema. When blood flow to the kidneys declines due to illness, they respond by retaining water, which is why these are prescribed. They are commonly used to treat high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and liver disease, all of which cause water retention.

Antidiuretic (Vasopressin)

A medication that decreases urine production and secretion. It is used to treat conditions like diabetes where the kidneys are excreting too much water.

Ureteroplasty

The surgical repair of a ureter.