What is dialysis primarily used for?

Dialysis is primarily utilized for the removal of waste products from the blood, specifically in patients whose kidneys are not functioning adequately. This process helps to filter out toxins, excess salts, and fluids that build up in the body when the kidneys are unable to perform these functions effectively.

Patients undergoing dialysis typically have conditions like chronic kidney disease or acute kidney injury, which impede the kidneys' natural ability to filter blood. By facilitating the removal of these harmful substances, dialysis plays a crucial role in maintaining a patient's overall health and stabilizing their biochemical balance.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different medical processes. Increasing blood flow usually involves interventions like vasodilation or blood thinners but is not the primary function of dialysis. Oxygenating blood is relevant to procedures such as mechanical ventilation or cardiopulmonary bypass but is not a direct purpose of dialysis. Lastly, fighting infections typically involves antibiotics or immune responses, rather than a filtration process like dialysis. Each of these options highlights distinct medical functions that do not align with the primary use of dialysis.