Certified Hemodialysis Technician Practice Exam

In hemodialysis, the main component of dialysate is indeed water, but the formulation typically includes various electrolytes and substances, including sodium chloride and bicarbonate. Dialysate acts as a medium to facilitate the exchange of waste products and excess electrolytes from the blood, while maintaining the necessary balance of substances that are critical for patient health.

Water is the solvent in which the dialysate components are dissolved, making it essential for the overall function of the solution. Sodium chloride is included to help maintain osmotic balance during the dialysis process, while bicarbonate is crucial for regulating acid-base balance in the blood, as it helps to neutralize acidity.

Thus, all these components play a vital role, and their combined presence in dialysate supports the effective removal of unwanted substances from the blood while ensuring that the patient's electrolyte and acid-base balance is preserved during treatment. This comprehensive formulation is what makes 'all of the above' the appropriate choice, as it acknowledges the importance of each component in the composition of dialysate.