,DaVita PCT Final Exam | Comprehensive Study Guide | Questions and
Answers + Expert Rationales | 2026/27 Updated | 100% Pass Guarantee
1. What factor would influence the "t" of the Kt/V formula?
A. Increased blood flow rate
B. Larger dialyzer surface area
C. Shortened treatment time (✔ Correct Answer)
D. Higher ultrafiltration rate
Expert Rationale: In the Kt/V formula, "t" represents treatment time. Shortening the
treatment time directly reduces "t," lowering the Kt/V and potentially compromising
dialysis adequacy. All other factors affect "K" (clearance) or "V" (volume of
distribution), not "t."
2. Poor wound healing is directly related to:
A. Excessive fluid intake
B. Inadequate protein intake (✔ Correct Answer)
C. High potassium levels
D. Elevated phosphorus levels
Expert Rationale: Protein is essential for tissue repair and wound healing.
Inadequate protein intake leads to hypoalbuminemia, decreased collagen synthesis,
and impaired immune function, all of which delay wound healing. This is a critical
nutritional concern in dialysis patients.
3. A standing post-treatment BP reading is considered an abnormal finding if:
A. Systolic BP is between 100-140 mmHg
B. Systolic BP is greater than 140 or less than 90 mmHg (✔ Correct Answer)
C. Diastolic BP is between 60-90 mmHg
D. BP is unchanged from pre-treatment
,Expert Rationale: Post-treatment standing BP should be assessed to detect
orthostatic hypotension. A systolic BP >140 mmHg indicates hypertension, while <90
mmHg indicates hypotension. Both are abnormal findings requiring documentation
and notification of the nurse.
4. What factor would decrease the "K" of the Kt/V formula?
A. Higher blood flow rate
B. Larger dialyzer
C. Inadequate anticoagulation (✔ Correct Answer)
D. Extended treatment time
Expert Rationale: "K" represents dialyzer clearance. Inadequate anticoagulation
causes clotting in the dialyzer, reducing effective surface area and decreasing
clearance. This lowers the "K" value and compromises Kt/V, even if the prescribed
blood flow rate is adequate.
5. Documentation in the medical record:
A. Is optional for PCTs
B. Only needs to be completed at discharge
C. Provides data for the continuity and planning of patient care (✔ Correct
Answer)
D. Is only required for billing purposes
Expert Rationale: Accurate medical record documentation ensures continuity of care
by providing a legal and clinical record of all interventions, assessments, and patient
responses. It enables the healthcare team to plan future treatments and track
progress over time.
6. Per physician order and based on individual patient needs, Chronic Kidney
Disease Mineral & Bone Disorder (MBD) is treated with:
A. Only phosphate binders
B. Only vitamin D supplements
C. Phosphate binders, vitamin D, and Calcitriol (✔ Correct Answer)
D. Only calcium supplements
, Expert Rationale: CKD-MBD management is multimodal: phosphate binders control
dietary phosphorus absorption, vitamin D analogs and calcitriol regulate calcium and
PTH levels. This comprehensive approach addresses the complex mineral and bone
abnormalities in CKD.
7. What is the most likely reason for a blood leak detector alarm during
recirculation?
A. The patient is hemolyzing
B. Air bubbles in dialysate or a dirty sensor (✔ Correct Answer)
C. The dialyzer is clotting
D. The blood pump is too fast
Expert Rationale: During recirculation, the blood leak detector may alarm due to air
bubbles in the dialysate path or a dirty/contaminated sensor. This is a common false
alarm. True blood leaks are rare and would indicate a ruptured dialyzer membrane.
8. The person responsible for implementation, adherence, and training of the
facility is:
A. The Medical Director
B. The Facility Administrator (FA) (✔ Correct Answer)
C. The Lead PCT
D. The Clinical Coordinator
Expert Rationale: The Facility Administrator (FA) has overall responsibility for facility
operations, including policy implementation, staff adherence to protocols, and
ensuring training and competency of all teammates. The FA ensures the facility
meets regulatory and corporate standards.
9. Administration of normal saline:
A. Can be delegated to any PCT without supervision
B. Requires a physician order
C. The teammate must remain with the patient to monitor the process until
administration is complete and lines are secure (✔ Correct Answer)
D. Does not require documentation
Answers + Expert Rationales | 2026/27 Updated | 100% Pass Guarantee
1. What factor would influence the "t" of the Kt/V formula?
A. Increased blood flow rate
B. Larger dialyzer surface area
C. Shortened treatment time (✔ Correct Answer)
D. Higher ultrafiltration rate
Expert Rationale: In the Kt/V formula, "t" represents treatment time. Shortening the
treatment time directly reduces "t," lowering the Kt/V and potentially compromising
dialysis adequacy. All other factors affect "K" (clearance) or "V" (volume of
distribution), not "t."
2. Poor wound healing is directly related to:
A. Excessive fluid intake
B. Inadequate protein intake (✔ Correct Answer)
C. High potassium levels
D. Elevated phosphorus levels
Expert Rationale: Protein is essential for tissue repair and wound healing.
Inadequate protein intake leads to hypoalbuminemia, decreased collagen synthesis,
and impaired immune function, all of which delay wound healing. This is a critical
nutritional concern in dialysis patients.
3. A standing post-treatment BP reading is considered an abnormal finding if:
A. Systolic BP is between 100-140 mmHg
B. Systolic BP is greater than 140 or less than 90 mmHg (✔ Correct Answer)
C. Diastolic BP is between 60-90 mmHg
D. BP is unchanged from pre-treatment
,Expert Rationale: Post-treatment standing BP should be assessed to detect
orthostatic hypotension. A systolic BP >140 mmHg indicates hypertension, while <90
mmHg indicates hypotension. Both are abnormal findings requiring documentation
and notification of the nurse.
4. What factor would decrease the "K" of the Kt/V formula?
A. Higher blood flow rate
B. Larger dialyzer
C. Inadequate anticoagulation (✔ Correct Answer)
D. Extended treatment time
Expert Rationale: "K" represents dialyzer clearance. Inadequate anticoagulation
causes clotting in the dialyzer, reducing effective surface area and decreasing
clearance. This lowers the "K" value and compromises Kt/V, even if the prescribed
blood flow rate is adequate.
5. Documentation in the medical record:
A. Is optional for PCTs
B. Only needs to be completed at discharge
C. Provides data for the continuity and planning of patient care (✔ Correct
Answer)
D. Is only required for billing purposes
Expert Rationale: Accurate medical record documentation ensures continuity of care
by providing a legal and clinical record of all interventions, assessments, and patient
responses. It enables the healthcare team to plan future treatments and track
progress over time.
6. Per physician order and based on individual patient needs, Chronic Kidney
Disease Mineral & Bone Disorder (MBD) is treated with:
A. Only phosphate binders
B. Only vitamin D supplements
C. Phosphate binders, vitamin D, and Calcitriol (✔ Correct Answer)
D. Only calcium supplements
, Expert Rationale: CKD-MBD management is multimodal: phosphate binders control
dietary phosphorus absorption, vitamin D analogs and calcitriol regulate calcium and
PTH levels. This comprehensive approach addresses the complex mineral and bone
abnormalities in CKD.
7. What is the most likely reason for a blood leak detector alarm during
recirculation?
A. The patient is hemolyzing
B. Air bubbles in dialysate or a dirty sensor (✔ Correct Answer)
C. The dialyzer is clotting
D. The blood pump is too fast
Expert Rationale: During recirculation, the blood leak detector may alarm due to air
bubbles in the dialysate path or a dirty/contaminated sensor. This is a common false
alarm. True blood leaks are rare and would indicate a ruptured dialyzer membrane.
8. The person responsible for implementation, adherence, and training of the
facility is:
A. The Medical Director
B. The Facility Administrator (FA) (✔ Correct Answer)
C. The Lead PCT
D. The Clinical Coordinator
Expert Rationale: The Facility Administrator (FA) has overall responsibility for facility
operations, including policy implementation, staff adherence to protocols, and
ensuring training and competency of all teammates. The FA ensures the facility
meets regulatory and corporate standards.
9. Administration of normal saline:
A. Can be delegated to any PCT without supervision
B. Requires a physician order
C. The teammate must remain with the patient to monitor the process until
administration is complete and lines are secure (✔ Correct Answer)
D. Does not require documentation
