Dialysis Essentials

Nephrology

Video course

by Daphne H. Knicely, MD MEHP

Dialysis needn’t be difficult. This course will take you from a dialysis novice to a master in no time. You’ll learn about the different dialysis modalities, components of a dialysis prescription, common complications and how to resolve them. Whether you want to become a dialysis expert or simply be able to confidently speak to a nephrologist about patient treatment, this course is for you.

2h 34m

8 Quizzes

4 CME

What’s in it for you?

Master the most important skills

Learn the skills experts say you need to master in order to become a great clinician.

Learn any skill in under 5 hours

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After completing this course, you will be able to

Differentiate between different types of dialysis modalities including in-center hemodialysis, home hemodialysis, and peritoneal dialysis.
Master the different components of a hemodialysis prescription from dialysis access, to filters, and to dialysate composition.
Explain the different types of hemodialysis complications from access complications to intradialytic complications.
Describe to a patient how peritoneal dialysis works and how it is performed.
Identify the different components of peritoneal dialysis including access and dialysate solutions.
Describe both infectious and non-infectious complications of peritoneal dialysis.
Determine dialysis adequacy for hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.
Master the different types of continuous dialysis.
Recognize when continuous dialysis should be used in special situations.

What's inside

Free

Chapter 1

Talking to your patients about dialysis

Making the decision about dialysis can be stressful for patients. In this chapter, you’ll cover key dialysis concepts so you can confidently help patients make dialysis decisions.

5 lessons

14m

Talking to your patients about dialysis intro

Introducing kidney basics

Appreciating the importance of dialysis

Determining when dialysis is needed

Comprehending the physiology of dialysis

Talking to your patients about dialysis quiz

Quiz

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Chapter 2

Hemodialysis

Hemodialysis is often daunting to the non-nephrologist. Here, you’ll gain a deep understanding of the intricacies of hemodialysis and factors to consider when prescribing it.

9 lessons

30m

Hemodialysis intro

Establishing vascular access for hemodialysis

Describing the dialysis machine

Getting a grasp of dialyzers

Breaking down dialysate

Wading through water treatment

Determining adequate hemodialysis

Putting it together

Examining in-center hemodialysis

Hemodialysis quiz

Quiz

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Chapter 3

Home hemodialysis

Home dialysis is growing in popularity. In this chapter, you’ll cover the fundamentals of home hemodialysis and when it might be an option for your patients needing dialysis.

5 lessons

16m

Home hemodialysis intro

Considering home hemodialysis

Prescribing home hemodialysis

Monitoring home hemodialysis

Recognizing the benefits for patient outcomes

Home hemodialysis quiz

Quiz

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Chapter 4

Hemodialysis complications

Hemodialysis (in-center and at home) is not without its risks. In this chapter, you’ll master the diagnosis and management of common and uncommon complications.

7 lessons

29m

Hemodialysis complications intro

Identifying common access complications

Spotting uncommon access complications

Recognizing fistula and graft infections

Identifying catheter infections

Recognizing common hemodialysis complications

Assessing uncommon hemodialysis complications

Hemodialysis complications quiz

Quiz

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Chapter 5

Peritoneal dialysis catheters

Master peritoneal dialysis catheters in this chapter. You’ll learn how to recognize catheter dysfunction, resolve complications, and diagnose exit site and tunnel infections.

6 lessons

18m

Peritoneal dialysis catheters intro

Getting a grasp of peritoneal dialysis

Mastering peritoneal dialysis catheters

Recognizing peritoneal dialysis catheter dysfunction

Resolving other catheter-associated complications

Diagnosing exit site and tunnel infections

Peritoneal dialysis catheters quiz

Quiz

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Chapter 6

Peritoneal dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis differs from hemodialysis in several ways. Here, you’ll learn about various peritoneal dialysis methods, solutions and additives used, and how to prescribe it.

6 lessons

17m

Peritoneal dialysis intro

Differentiating between peritoneal dialysis methods

Evaluating membrane function

Using different solutions and additives

Monitoring peritoneal dialysis adequacy

Prescribing peritoneal dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis quiz

Quiz

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Chapter 7

Peritoneal dialysis complications

Peritoneal dialysis also comes with its own unique risks. Here, you’ll learn how to manage infectious and non-infectious complications related to peritoneal dialysis.

4 lessons

15m

Peritoneal dialysis complications intro

Managing mechanical complications

Identifying uncommon non-infectious complications

Dealing with peritonitis

Peritoneal dialysis complications quiz

Quiz

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Chapter 8

Acute dialysis

How do you manage a patient in acute need of dialysis? In this chapter, you’ll learn how to treat acute dialysis needs through different modalities and in different settings.

8 lessons

18m

Acute dialysis intro

Acknowledging acute indications for dialysis

Applying acute peritoneal dialysis

Recommending acute hemodialysis

Ordering continuous renal replacement therapies

Dosing and anticoagulation in continuous dialysis

Recommending dialysis with cerebral edema and intracranial hypertension

Acute dialysis quiz

Quiz

Dialysis Essentials outro

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Teachers of this course

Daphne H. Knicely, MD MEHP

Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine and UVA Dialysis Physician Lead for Home Therapies.

Teacher Profile

Medmastery

Nora Drenaline

Nephrology

Claim your certificate

All members receive a certificate for completing this course. For Pro members, the certificate comes with 4 CME credits.

CME accredited

All our courses and workshops are fully CME accredited. We provide USA AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ and European CME credits (ECMEC®s). Pro members can download their CME certificates upon successful completion of activities. Want to transfer these credits to your national system? No problem.

Learn how this works

CME at its best

Award-winning teaching method

Winner of the Comenius EduMedia Medal
For outstanding digital education—Berlin 2013
Highly commended by the British Medical Association
Awarded in the digital category of the BMA Book Awards—London 2017
Winner of the Comenius EduMedia Seal
For outstanding digital education—Berlin 2017
Internationally accredited
CME accredited in the USA and EU with mutual recognition agreements in most other countries.
Trusted institutional partner
Used by residency programs and universities around the world to train their clinicians and students.
Top-rated by our learners
Rated excellent by hundreds of users on Trustpilot, an independent reviewing platform.

What’s in it for you?

Master the most important skills

Learn any skill in under 5 hours

Save time and money

After completing this course, you will be able to

What's inside

Talking to your patients about dialysis

Hemodialysis

Home hemodialysis

Hemodialysis complications

Peritoneal dialysis catheters

Peritoneal dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis complications

Acute dialysis

Claim your certificate

CME accredited

Winner of the Comenius EduMedia Medal

Highly commended by the British Medical Association

Winner of the Comenius EduMedia Seal

Internationally accredited

Trusted institutional partner

Top-rated by our learners