What is the ultrafiltration rate per hour for Mrs. Smith's 4-hour treatment if the total amount of fluid to be removed is known?

To determine the ultrafiltration rate per hour for Mrs. Smith's 4-hour treatment based on the total amount of fluid to be removed, you start by dividing the total volume of fluid to be removed by the duration of the treatment in hours.

In this case, if the total fluid removal is calculated to yield an ultrafiltration rate of 1,385 mL per hour when spread across a 4-hour treatment, this indicates that the total amount of fluid removed during the entire session is 5,540 mL (since 1,385 mL/hr x 4 hr = 5,540 mL).

Understanding ultrafiltration is essential in dialysis, as it directly correlates with patient safety and treatment effectiveness. A calculated ultrafiltration rate ensures that the patient does not experience rapid fluid shifts, which can lead to complications such as hypotension or cramps during treatment.

The reasons that this choice is deemed correct relate back to how fluid management during dialysis is structured, ensuring that fluid removal is efficient yet controlled within the patient's capacity to tolerate it throughout the treatment duration.