In the past month, my fathers kidneys failed and he is getting dialysis through a chest catheter.  He has a foley catheter in place because he cannot relieve himself on his own (seeing a urologist about that). My question is how is it that his urine output is about the same as the fluids he is drinking?  I dont understand how his kidneys cant be working if he has so much urine output.  Is there an explanation?
Hello. There is a simple explanation for good urine output even though body requires dialysis support. Kidneys have two major functions: 1st is purification of blood with maintenance of acid base electrolyte balance and 2nd is removal of excess water from body. In lots of advanced kidney diseases (more than 90% function of kidney - lost), purification of blood is affected badly, but water excretion is preserved due to residual functioning of kidneys. Dialysis is needed when either of them hampered. Best wishes for your fathers' health.