DaVita Dialysis Final Exam Comprehensive Study Guide: 100 Verified
Questions & Answers
Water Treatment and Safety
1. What is the primary device used for purifying the water used in dialysis?
o A) Carbon tanks
o B) Reverse osmosis
o C) Water softener
o D) Deionization tanks
o Answer: B
o Rationale: The reverse osmosis (RO) system is the main device for
removing organic and inorganic contaminants, bacteria, and
endotoxins.
2. Water treatment is necessary in the dialysis setting to:
o A) Improve the taste of dialysate
o B) Provide patient safety and prevent equipment damage
o C) Reduce the cost of dialysis supplies
o D) Increase the lifespan of the dialyzer
o Answer: B
o Rationale: Purified water is essential to protect patients from
contaminants and to prevent minerals from damaging the dialysis
delivery systems.
3. What is the acceptable limit for Total Chlorine in the water leaving the
primary carbon filter?
o A) Less than 0.5 ppm
o B) Less than or equal to 0.1 ppm
, o C) 1.0 ppm
o D) 0.01 ppm
o Answer: B
o Rationale: Testing must show chlorine levels at or below 0.1 ppm to
prevent patient hemolysis.
4. At what time do you perform water hardness testing?
o A) Before the first shift
o B) Every four hours
o C) At the end of the treatment day
o D) Weekly
o Answer: C
o Rationale: Hardness testing, which checks for calcium and
magnesium to protect the RO, is conducted at the end of each day.
5. When should chlorine/chloramine testing be performed?
o A) Monthly
o B) Before the first shift of patients and every 4 hours
o C) Only when the RO alarm sounds
o D) Once a day
o Answer: B
o Rationale: Regular testing ensures the carbon tanks are effectively
removing chlorine before it reaches the patient.
6. If the primary carbon tank sample port shows a chlorine level above 0.1
ppm, what is the next step?
o A) Stop all treatments immediately
, o B) Test at the secondary port
o C) Increase the RO pressure
o D) Bypass the carbon tanks
o Answer: B
o Rationale: If the primary tank is exhausted, the secondary tank must
be checked to ensure it is still providing protection. If the secondary is
also high, dialysis must stop.
7. What complication occurs if a patient is exposed to chlorine or
chloramines?
o A) Hypertension
o B) Hemolysis
o C) Muscle weakness
o D) Nausea
o Answer: B
o Rationale: Chlorine/chloramines cause the rupture of red blood cells
(hemolysis).
8. Aluminum in the water used for dialysis can cause:
o A) Anemia and bone disease
o B) Muscle cramps
o C) Hypertension
o D) Itching
o Answer: A
o Rationale: Aluminum toxicity is linked to anemia, bone disease, and
neurological issues.
9. Excess calcium and magnesium in the water can lead to:
, o A) Hemolysis
o B) Muscle weakness
o C) Seizures
o D) Low blood pressure
o Answer: B
o Rationale: High levels of these minerals in the water source cause
muscle weakness and "hard water syndrome".
10.Water and dialysate cultures are drawn every month to monitor for:
o A) Chlorine levels
o B) Bacteria and endotoxins
o C) PH levels
o D) Heparin concentration
o Answer: B
o Rationale: Monthly monitoring ensures the system remains within
safe limits for microbial growth.
Kidney Function and AKI vs. CKD
1. Dialysis replaces approximately what percentage of normal kidney
function?
o A) 50%
o B) 5%
o C) 15%
o D) 25%
o Answer: C
Questions & Answers
Water Treatment and Safety
1. What is the primary device used for purifying the water used in dialysis?
o A) Carbon tanks
o B) Reverse osmosis
o C) Water softener
o D) Deionization tanks
o Answer: B
o Rationale: The reverse osmosis (RO) system is the main device for
removing organic and inorganic contaminants, bacteria, and
endotoxins.
2. Water treatment is necessary in the dialysis setting to:
o A) Improve the taste of dialysate
o B) Provide patient safety and prevent equipment damage
o C) Reduce the cost of dialysis supplies
o D) Increase the lifespan of the dialyzer
o Answer: B
o Rationale: Purified water is essential to protect patients from
contaminants and to prevent minerals from damaging the dialysis
delivery systems.
3. What is the acceptable limit for Total Chlorine in the water leaving the
primary carbon filter?
o A) Less than 0.5 ppm
o B) Less than or equal to 0.1 ppm
, o C) 1.0 ppm
o D) 0.01 ppm
o Answer: B
o Rationale: Testing must show chlorine levels at or below 0.1 ppm to
prevent patient hemolysis.
4. At what time do you perform water hardness testing?
o A) Before the first shift
o B) Every four hours
o C) At the end of the treatment day
o D) Weekly
o Answer: C
o Rationale: Hardness testing, which checks for calcium and
magnesium to protect the RO, is conducted at the end of each day.
5. When should chlorine/chloramine testing be performed?
o A) Monthly
o B) Before the first shift of patients and every 4 hours
o C) Only when the RO alarm sounds
o D) Once a day
o Answer: B
o Rationale: Regular testing ensures the carbon tanks are effectively
removing chlorine before it reaches the patient.
6. If the primary carbon tank sample port shows a chlorine level above 0.1
ppm, what is the next step?
o A) Stop all treatments immediately
, o B) Test at the secondary port
o C) Increase the RO pressure
o D) Bypass the carbon tanks
o Answer: B
o Rationale: If the primary tank is exhausted, the secondary tank must
be checked to ensure it is still providing protection. If the secondary is
also high, dialysis must stop.
7. What complication occurs if a patient is exposed to chlorine or
chloramines?
o A) Hypertension
o B) Hemolysis
o C) Muscle weakness
o D) Nausea
o Answer: B
o Rationale: Chlorine/chloramines cause the rupture of red blood cells
(hemolysis).
8. Aluminum in the water used for dialysis can cause:
o A) Anemia and bone disease
o B) Muscle cramps
o C) Hypertension
o D) Itching
o Answer: A
o Rationale: Aluminum toxicity is linked to anemia, bone disease, and
neurological issues.
9. Excess calcium and magnesium in the water can lead to:
, o A) Hemolysis
o B) Muscle weakness
o C) Seizures
o D) Low blood pressure
o Answer: B
o Rationale: High levels of these minerals in the water source cause
muscle weakness and "hard water syndrome".
10.Water and dialysate cultures are drawn every month to monitor for:
o A) Chlorine levels
o B) Bacteria and endotoxins
o C) PH levels
o D) Heparin concentration
o Answer: B
o Rationale: Monthly monitoring ensures the system remains within
safe limits for microbial growth.
Kidney Function and AKI vs. CKD
1. Dialysis replaces approximately what percentage of normal kidney
function?
o A) 50%
o B) 5%
o C) 15%
o D) 25%
o Answer: C
