1
DAVITA PCT FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 | PATIENT CARE
TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION | EXPERT VERIFIED | 100
QUESTIONS & COMPLETE RATIONALES | PASS
GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: KIDNEY FUNCTION & HEMODIALYSIS PRINCIPLES (Questions 1-20)
Q1: The excretory functions of the kidneys include:
A. Renin and erythropoietin secretion
B. Removing excess water, urea, and metabolic wastes from the blood
C. Activation of vitamin D
D. Regulation of blood pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The excretory functions of the kidneys include removing excess water, urea, and
metabolic wastes from the blood. This is the primary function that hemodialysis replaces . Endocrine
functions include renin and erythropoietin secretion and activation of vitamin D (A, C). Regulation of
blood pressure (D) is also a kidney function but is not the primary excretory function. Key teaching
point: The kidneys' excretory function involves removing waste and excess fluid; dialysis replaces
this function.
Q2: Ultrafiltration is defined as:
A. The movement of solutes from high to low concentration
B. Controlled fluid removal by manipulation of hydrostatic pressure
C. The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane
D. The removal of metabolic wastes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ultrafiltration is defined as controlled fluid removal by manipulation of hydrostatic
pressure. This is the process by which excess fluid is removed from the patient during hemodialysis.
Diffusion (A) is the movement of solutes from high to low concentration; osmosis (C) is the
movement of water across a semipermeable membrane. Key teaching point: Ultrafiltration = fluid
removal via hydrostatic pressure; diffusion = solute movement by concentration gradient.
Q3: The endocrine functions of the kidneys include:
A. Removal of metabolic wastes
B. Renin and erythropoietin secretion, and activation of vitamin D
C. Fluid balance regulation
D. Acid-base balance
,2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The endocrine functions of the kidneys include renin and erythropoietin secretion and
activation of vitamin D . Renin regulates blood pressure; erythropoietin stimulates red blood cell
production; vitamin D activation is essential for bone health. Key teaching point: Endocrine
functions = renin, erythropoietin, vitamin D activation.
Q4: Dialysis replaces approximately what percentage of normal kidney function?
A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 15%
D. 25%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dialysis replaces only approximately 15% of normal kidney function . This is why patients
with ESRD often have ongoing complications despite regular dialysis treatments. Key teaching
point: Dialysis replaces only about 15% of normal kidney function; patients remain at risk for
complications.
Q5: Which acid-base imbalance is treated by hemodialysis?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acid concentrate replaces the excretory function of normal kidney function by
normalizing electrolytes and removing metabolic acidosis . Metabolic acidosis is a common
complication of kidney failure. Key teaching point: Hemodialysis corrects metabolic acidosis by
removing acids and normalizing bicarbonate levels.
Q6: The movement of solutes from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower
concentration is called:
A. Ultrafiltration
B. Diffusion
C. Osmosis
D. Convection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diffusion is the movement of solutes from an area of higher concentration to an area of
lower concentration. This is one of the primary mechanisms by which hemodialysis removes waste
products . Osmosis (C) is water movement; ultrafiltration (A) is pressure-driven fluid removal;
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convection (D) is solute movement with water flow. Key teaching point: Diffusion = solute
movement down a concentration gradient.
Q7: The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane is called:
A. Ultrafiltration
B. Diffusion
C. Osmosis
D. Convection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of
lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration. This is a basic principle of dialysis . Key
teaching point: Osmosis = water movement across a membrane.
Q8: Left ventricular hypertrophy in ESRD patients can lead to:
A. Improved cardiac output
B. Ischemic heart disease, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, and sudden death
C. Decreased blood pressure
D. Improved kidney function
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Left ventricular hypertrophy leads to ischemic heart disease, arrhythmia, myocardial
infarction, and sudden death . This is a common complication of ESRD due to chronic hypertension
and volume overload . Key teaching point: LVH is a serious complication of ESRD that increases
cardiac mortality.
Q9: Which statement is true regarding patients with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) dialyzing in an
outpatient facility?
A. A nursing assessment prior to treatment initiation is always required
B. A nursing assessment is optional
C. The PCT can initiate treatment without nursing assessment
D. AKI patients do not require dialysis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For patients with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), a nursing assessment prior to treatment
initiation is always required . This is because AKI patients are typically more unstable and require
closer monitoring. Key teaching point: AKI patients always require nursing assessment before
dialysis initiation.
Q10: What is one method surveyors use to verify infection control training and education?
, 4
A. Reviewing equipment logs
B. Patient interview
C. Checking medication records
D. Observing hand hygiene
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: One method surveyors use to verify infection control training and education is patient
interview . Patients can confirm whether they have received education about their infection risks
and prevention measures . Key teaching point: Surveyors may interview patients to verify infection
control education.
Q11: Which of the following is classified as obstructive shock?
A. Tension pneumothorax
B. Anaphylactic shock
C. Hemorrhagic shock
D. Septic shock
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Tension pneumothorax causes obstructive shock because increasing intrathoracic
pressure compresses the great vessels and heart, mechanically obstructing venous return .
Hemorrhagic shock is hypovolemic, while anaphylactic and septic shock are distributive. Key
teaching point: Tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, and pulmonary embolism are causes of
obstructive shock.
Q12: The excretory function of the kidneys includes removing which substances from the blood?
A. Renin and erythropoietin
B. Excess water, urea, and metabolic wastes
C. Calcium and phosphorus
D. Glucose and amino acids
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The excretory functions of the kidneys include removing excess water, urea, and
metabolic wastes from the blood . Renin and erythropoietin (A) are endocrine functions; calcium and
phosphorus (C) are minerals regulated by the kidneys; glucose and amino acids (D) are normally
reabsorbed. Key teaching point: Kidneys excrete urea, metabolic waste, and excess water.
Q13: Acid concentrate replaces the excretory function of normal kidney function by:
A. Removing metabolic acidosis
B. Adding bicarbonate
C. Removing acids
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
DAVITA PCT FINAL EXAM 2026/2027 | PATIENT CARE
TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION | EXPERT VERIFIED | 100
QUESTIONS & COMPLETE RATIONALES | PASS
GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: KIDNEY FUNCTION & HEMODIALYSIS PRINCIPLES (Questions 1-20)
Q1: The excretory functions of the kidneys include:
A. Renin and erythropoietin secretion
B. Removing excess water, urea, and metabolic wastes from the blood
C. Activation of vitamin D
D. Regulation of blood pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The excretory functions of the kidneys include removing excess water, urea, and
metabolic wastes from the blood. This is the primary function that hemodialysis replaces . Endocrine
functions include renin and erythropoietin secretion and activation of vitamin D (A, C). Regulation of
blood pressure (D) is also a kidney function but is not the primary excretory function. Key teaching
point: The kidneys' excretory function involves removing waste and excess fluid; dialysis replaces
this function.
Q2: Ultrafiltration is defined as:
A. The movement of solutes from high to low concentration
B. Controlled fluid removal by manipulation of hydrostatic pressure
C. The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane
D. The removal of metabolic wastes
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Ultrafiltration is defined as controlled fluid removal by manipulation of hydrostatic
pressure. This is the process by which excess fluid is removed from the patient during hemodialysis.
Diffusion (A) is the movement of solutes from high to low concentration; osmosis (C) is the
movement of water across a semipermeable membrane. Key teaching point: Ultrafiltration = fluid
removal via hydrostatic pressure; diffusion = solute movement by concentration gradient.
Q3: The endocrine functions of the kidneys include:
A. Removal of metabolic wastes
B. Renin and erythropoietin secretion, and activation of vitamin D
C. Fluid balance regulation
D. Acid-base balance
,2
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The endocrine functions of the kidneys include renin and erythropoietin secretion and
activation of vitamin D . Renin regulates blood pressure; erythropoietin stimulates red blood cell
production; vitamin D activation is essential for bone health. Key teaching point: Endocrine
functions = renin, erythropoietin, vitamin D activation.
Q4: Dialysis replaces approximately what percentage of normal kidney function?
A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 15%
D. 25%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dialysis replaces only approximately 15% of normal kidney function . This is why patients
with ESRD often have ongoing complications despite regular dialysis treatments. Key teaching
point: Dialysis replaces only about 15% of normal kidney function; patients remain at risk for
complications.
Q5: Which acid-base imbalance is treated by hemodialysis?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acid concentrate replaces the excretory function of normal kidney function by
normalizing electrolytes and removing metabolic acidosis . Metabolic acidosis is a common
complication of kidney failure. Key teaching point: Hemodialysis corrects metabolic acidosis by
removing acids and normalizing bicarbonate levels.
Q6: The movement of solutes from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower
concentration is called:
A. Ultrafiltration
B. Diffusion
C. Osmosis
D. Convection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diffusion is the movement of solutes from an area of higher concentration to an area of
lower concentration. This is one of the primary mechanisms by which hemodialysis removes waste
products . Osmosis (C) is water movement; ultrafiltration (A) is pressure-driven fluid removal;
,3
convection (D) is solute movement with water flow. Key teaching point: Diffusion = solute
movement down a concentration gradient.
Q7: The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane is called:
A. Ultrafiltration
B. Diffusion
C. Osmosis
D. Convection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of
lower solute concentration to higher solute concentration. This is a basic principle of dialysis . Key
teaching point: Osmosis = water movement across a membrane.
Q8: Left ventricular hypertrophy in ESRD patients can lead to:
A. Improved cardiac output
B. Ischemic heart disease, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, and sudden death
C. Decreased blood pressure
D. Improved kidney function
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Left ventricular hypertrophy leads to ischemic heart disease, arrhythmia, myocardial
infarction, and sudden death . This is a common complication of ESRD due to chronic hypertension
and volume overload . Key teaching point: LVH is a serious complication of ESRD that increases
cardiac mortality.
Q9: Which statement is true regarding patients with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) dialyzing in an
outpatient facility?
A. A nursing assessment prior to treatment initiation is always required
B. A nursing assessment is optional
C. The PCT can initiate treatment without nursing assessment
D. AKI patients do not require dialysis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For patients with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), a nursing assessment prior to treatment
initiation is always required . This is because AKI patients are typically more unstable and require
closer monitoring. Key teaching point: AKI patients always require nursing assessment before
dialysis initiation.
Q10: What is one method surveyors use to verify infection control training and education?
, 4
A. Reviewing equipment logs
B. Patient interview
C. Checking medication records
D. Observing hand hygiene
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: One method surveyors use to verify infection control training and education is patient
interview . Patients can confirm whether they have received education about their infection risks
and prevention measures . Key teaching point: Surveyors may interview patients to verify infection
control education.
Q11: Which of the following is classified as obstructive shock?
A. Tension pneumothorax
B. Anaphylactic shock
C. Hemorrhagic shock
D. Septic shock
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Tension pneumothorax causes obstructive shock because increasing intrathoracic
pressure compresses the great vessels and heart, mechanically obstructing venous return .
Hemorrhagic shock is hypovolemic, while anaphylactic and septic shock are distributive. Key
teaching point: Tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade, and pulmonary embolism are causes of
obstructive shock.
Q12: The excretory function of the kidneys includes removing which substances from the blood?
A. Renin and erythropoietin
B. Excess water, urea, and metabolic wastes
C. Calcium and phosphorus
D. Glucose and amino acids
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The excretory functions of the kidneys include removing excess water, urea, and
metabolic wastes from the blood . Renin and erythropoietin (A) are endocrine functions; calcium and
phosphorus (C) are minerals regulated by the kidneys; glucose and amino acids (D) are normally
reabsorbed. Key teaching point: Kidneys excrete urea, metabolic waste, and excess water.
Q13: Acid concentrate replaces the excretory function of normal kidney function by:
A. Removing metabolic acidosis
B. Adding bicarbonate
C. Removing acids
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
