FRESENIUS PCT 2026 CORE EXAM TEST QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔dialysate composition: - ✔✔-acid: NaCl, KCl, 1.0 MgCl, CaCl, dextrose, acetic/citric
acid
-bicarb: bicarbonate and sodium
-treated water: continuous RO tank
✔✔bicarb loop notes: - ✔✔-good for 24 hours
-rinsed nightly
-cleaned with bleach weekly
-rinsed after all patients have left
✔✔machine setup process: - ✔✔-begin machine setup (from HD orders/allergies tab)
-string lines
-prime arterial and venous lines
-test machine
-test and prime dialysate
-circulate saline
✔✔what are the steps to begin machine setup? - ✔✔-apply PPE
-plug in acid and bicarb wands into wall box or jug
-verify patient orders in chairside
-program prescription (bath, DFR, tx time)
-if spare machine in the biomed room is needed, ensure it was disinfected at most 72
hours before use
✔✔what are the steps to stringing the dialysis machine? - ✔✔-inspect the dialyzer,
verify expiration date, ensure caps are included, no damage
-inspect saline bag for damage, verify expiration date and hang on IV pole
-inspect bloodlines
-close ALL little clamps on the bloodlines, leave the two large clamps open
-string arterial line
-spike the saline bag
-string the venous line
✔✔step three: prime - ✔✔-gravity prime arterial prior to priming the venous, close large
arterial clamp
-set the BFR to 150
-fill arterial chamber with n/s and start blood pump
-press prime button and allow the venous end to prime
-once the venous end has primed, close large venous clamp
-prime and test machine with venous end of dialyzer upward
, ✔✔step four: test machine - ✔✔-the blood pump will stop once machine has been
primed
-connect the arterial and venous lines together and open both large clamps
-hang lines on the IV pole
-fill the venous chamber with n/s and place bottom of the line into the venous line clamp
and shut the door
-select "both tests" button and allow machine to perform both alarm and pressure
holding tests
-troubleshoot and repeat failed tests if needed
✔✔step five: test and prime dialysate - ✔✔-verify dialysate
-verify conductivity alarm limits
-rotate dialyzer to arterial end down and connect Hanson's
-rotate arterial end up and allow dialyzer to fill
-once full , rotate dialyzer back to venous end up
✔✔step six: recirculate saline - ✔✔-reset ECC system
-remove residual air
-adjust DFR
-adjust BFR to 300-400 during recirculation
-hook up transducers and unclamp them
✔✔post treatment emptying and disinfection process: - ✔✔-prepare to drain lines
-close clamps
-clamp saline line
-remove blood pump, venous chamber, venous line clamp from their spot on machine
-rotate dialyzer to venous side up
-remove the blue Hanson and connect into shunt
-close the shunt door and open both large clamps and allow to drain
✔✔when to disinfect machine: - ✔✔-acid clean: daily after all patients have left to
prevent bicarb buildup
-heat disinfect: after acid clean using water (80 degrees Celsius)
-bleach disinfect/diasafe test: weekly to disinfect internal pathways
-residual bleach strips are used morning after bleach disinfection to test for bleach
✔✔treatment initiation process: - ✔✔1. evaluate assessment: patient intake
-establish rapport with patient
-walk patient into the treatment room
-weigh patient correctly (must be observed by pct)
-observe patient washing their hands AND their access for 60 seconds
-identify: compare photo in chairside
✔✔what vital signs are taken? - ✔✔-sitting and standing BP
-pulse
SOLUTIONS RATED A+
✔✔dialysate composition: - ✔✔-acid: NaCl, KCl, 1.0 MgCl, CaCl, dextrose, acetic/citric
acid
-bicarb: bicarbonate and sodium
-treated water: continuous RO tank
✔✔bicarb loop notes: - ✔✔-good for 24 hours
-rinsed nightly
-cleaned with bleach weekly
-rinsed after all patients have left
✔✔machine setup process: - ✔✔-begin machine setup (from HD orders/allergies tab)
-string lines
-prime arterial and venous lines
-test machine
-test and prime dialysate
-circulate saline
✔✔what are the steps to begin machine setup? - ✔✔-apply PPE
-plug in acid and bicarb wands into wall box or jug
-verify patient orders in chairside
-program prescription (bath, DFR, tx time)
-if spare machine in the biomed room is needed, ensure it was disinfected at most 72
hours before use
✔✔what are the steps to stringing the dialysis machine? - ✔✔-inspect the dialyzer,
verify expiration date, ensure caps are included, no damage
-inspect saline bag for damage, verify expiration date and hang on IV pole
-inspect bloodlines
-close ALL little clamps on the bloodlines, leave the two large clamps open
-string arterial line
-spike the saline bag
-string the venous line
✔✔step three: prime - ✔✔-gravity prime arterial prior to priming the venous, close large
arterial clamp
-set the BFR to 150
-fill arterial chamber with n/s and start blood pump
-press prime button and allow the venous end to prime
-once the venous end has primed, close large venous clamp
-prime and test machine with venous end of dialyzer upward
, ✔✔step four: test machine - ✔✔-the blood pump will stop once machine has been
primed
-connect the arterial and venous lines together and open both large clamps
-hang lines on the IV pole
-fill the venous chamber with n/s and place bottom of the line into the venous line clamp
and shut the door
-select "both tests" button and allow machine to perform both alarm and pressure
holding tests
-troubleshoot and repeat failed tests if needed
✔✔step five: test and prime dialysate - ✔✔-verify dialysate
-verify conductivity alarm limits
-rotate dialyzer to arterial end down and connect Hanson's
-rotate arterial end up and allow dialyzer to fill
-once full , rotate dialyzer back to venous end up
✔✔step six: recirculate saline - ✔✔-reset ECC system
-remove residual air
-adjust DFR
-adjust BFR to 300-400 during recirculation
-hook up transducers and unclamp them
✔✔post treatment emptying and disinfection process: - ✔✔-prepare to drain lines
-close clamps
-clamp saline line
-remove blood pump, venous chamber, venous line clamp from their spot on machine
-rotate dialyzer to venous side up
-remove the blue Hanson and connect into shunt
-close the shunt door and open both large clamps and allow to drain
✔✔when to disinfect machine: - ✔✔-acid clean: daily after all patients have left to
prevent bicarb buildup
-heat disinfect: after acid clean using water (80 degrees Celsius)
-bleach disinfect/diasafe test: weekly to disinfect internal pathways
-residual bleach strips are used morning after bleach disinfection to test for bleach
✔✔treatment initiation process: - ✔✔1. evaluate assessment: patient intake
-establish rapport with patient
-walk patient into the treatment room
-weigh patient correctly (must be observed by pct)
-observe patient washing their hands AND their access for 60 seconds
-identify: compare photo in chairside
✔✔what vital signs are taken? - ✔✔-sitting and standing BP
-pulse
