DAVITA PCT FINAL EXAM ACTUAL EXAM |2026/2027 |
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE QUESTIONS | ALL TOPICS
COVERED | 1-200
1. What is the primary transport mechanism responsible for the
removal of excess fluid during hemodialysis?
A) Diffusion
B) Osmosis
C) Ultrafiltration
D) Convection
Correct Answer: C) Ultrafiltration
Rationale: Ultrafiltration is the process of removing excess fluid from
the blood by applying hydrostatic pressure across the semipermeable
membrane of the dialyzer .
2. A patient's Kt/V result is below the target. According to the Kt/V
formula, which factor directly represents the clearance of urea by the
dialyzer?
A) K
B) t
C) V
D) /V
Correct Answer: A) K
Rationale: In the Kt/V formula, "K" stands for clearance, which is the
rate at which the dialyzer removes urea from the blood .
,3. Which of the following is an excretory function of a healthy kidney
that is replaced by hemodialysis?
A) Secretion of renin
B) Production of erythropoietin
C) Activation of Vitamin D
D) Removal of metabolic wastes
Correct Answer: D) Removal of metabolic wastes
Rationale: The kidneys' excretory functions include removing excess
water, urea, and metabolic wastes from the blood, which is a primary
role of hemodialysis .
4. A technician is setting up a dialyzer. What is the expected outcome
of the process of diffusion during the treatment?
A) Movement of water from blood to dialysate
B) Movement of solutes from an area of high concentration to low
concentration
C) Movement of fluid from low to high solute concentration
D) Movement of solutes dragged by fluid across the membrane
Correct Answer: B) Movement of solutes from an area of high
concentration to low concentration
Rationale: Diffusion is the movement of dissolved particles (solutes)
across a semipermeable membrane from an area of higher
concentration to an area of lower concentration .
5. To ensure patient safety, water used for hemodialysis must be
tested for chloramines and chlorine. What is the maximum allowable
time between these tests?
A) Every 2 hours
B) Every 4 hours
C) Every 8 hours
,D) Once per shift
Correct Answer: B) Every 4 hours
Rationale: Chlorine and chloramine testing must be performed no more
than four hours apart to ensure the water is safe for dialysis and to
prevent hemolysis .
6. A patient undergoing dialysis complains of pain at the venous
needle site and tingling around the lips. Which complication should
the PCT suspect?
A) Air embolism
B) Hemolysis
C) Disinfectant infusion
D) Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome
Correct Answer: C) Disinfectant infusion
Rationale: Symptoms of a disinfectant infusion include pain at the
venous needle site, tingling around the lips, and difficulty breathing,
indicating a serious chemical exposure .
7. A patient with a Central Venous Catheter (CVC) is preparing for
treatment. What is the correct protocol to minimize infection risk
during CVC care?
A) Wearing a gown and sterile gloves only
B) Performing hand hygiene, wearing a facemask, and clean gloves
C) Wearing a face shield and sterile gloves without a mask
D) The patient must wear a mask, but the teammate only needs gloves
Correct Answer: B) Performing hand hygiene, wearing a facemask, and
clean gloves
Rationale: To prevent infection during CVC care, the protocol requires
performing hand hygiene and wearing a facemask and clean gloves. A
, mask is also required for the patient to prevent respiratory droplet
contamination .
8. What is the primary danger of incomplete or poor documentation in
a patient's medical record?
A) It results in a lower paycheck for the teammate.
B) It can lead to legal liability by suggesting care was not provided.
C) It has no impact if the patient received good care.
D) It only matters if the patient is transferred to another facility.
Correct Answer: B) It can lead to legal liability by suggesting care was
not provided.
Rationale: In healthcare, the standard is "If it wasn't documented, it
wasn't done." Poor documentation can be used in court to argue that
the standard of care was not met .
9. Why are patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) particularly
vulnerable to infections?
A) Because dialysis machines are often contaminated.
B) Because the uremic state weakens the immune system.
C) Because they are frequently hospitalized.
D) Because they are malnourished.
Correct Answer: B) Because the uremic state weakens the immune
system.
Rationale: The buildup of uremic toxins in the blood impairs white
blood cell function, making patients immunocompromised and highly
susceptible to infections .
10. A PCT must administer a saline bolus. What two specific items
must be documented?
A) The time and the patient's blood pressure
COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE QUESTIONS | ALL TOPICS
COVERED | 1-200
1. What is the primary transport mechanism responsible for the
removal of excess fluid during hemodialysis?
A) Diffusion
B) Osmosis
C) Ultrafiltration
D) Convection
Correct Answer: C) Ultrafiltration
Rationale: Ultrafiltration is the process of removing excess fluid from
the blood by applying hydrostatic pressure across the semipermeable
membrane of the dialyzer .
2. A patient's Kt/V result is below the target. According to the Kt/V
formula, which factor directly represents the clearance of urea by the
dialyzer?
A) K
B) t
C) V
D) /V
Correct Answer: A) K
Rationale: In the Kt/V formula, "K" stands for clearance, which is the
rate at which the dialyzer removes urea from the blood .
,3. Which of the following is an excretory function of a healthy kidney
that is replaced by hemodialysis?
A) Secretion of renin
B) Production of erythropoietin
C) Activation of Vitamin D
D) Removal of metabolic wastes
Correct Answer: D) Removal of metabolic wastes
Rationale: The kidneys' excretory functions include removing excess
water, urea, and metabolic wastes from the blood, which is a primary
role of hemodialysis .
4. A technician is setting up a dialyzer. What is the expected outcome
of the process of diffusion during the treatment?
A) Movement of water from blood to dialysate
B) Movement of solutes from an area of high concentration to low
concentration
C) Movement of fluid from low to high solute concentration
D) Movement of solutes dragged by fluid across the membrane
Correct Answer: B) Movement of solutes from an area of high
concentration to low concentration
Rationale: Diffusion is the movement of dissolved particles (solutes)
across a semipermeable membrane from an area of higher
concentration to an area of lower concentration .
5. To ensure patient safety, water used for hemodialysis must be
tested for chloramines and chlorine. What is the maximum allowable
time between these tests?
A) Every 2 hours
B) Every 4 hours
C) Every 8 hours
,D) Once per shift
Correct Answer: B) Every 4 hours
Rationale: Chlorine and chloramine testing must be performed no more
than four hours apart to ensure the water is safe for dialysis and to
prevent hemolysis .
6. A patient undergoing dialysis complains of pain at the venous
needle site and tingling around the lips. Which complication should
the PCT suspect?
A) Air embolism
B) Hemolysis
C) Disinfectant infusion
D) Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome
Correct Answer: C) Disinfectant infusion
Rationale: Symptoms of a disinfectant infusion include pain at the
venous needle site, tingling around the lips, and difficulty breathing,
indicating a serious chemical exposure .
7. A patient with a Central Venous Catheter (CVC) is preparing for
treatment. What is the correct protocol to minimize infection risk
during CVC care?
A) Wearing a gown and sterile gloves only
B) Performing hand hygiene, wearing a facemask, and clean gloves
C) Wearing a face shield and sterile gloves without a mask
D) The patient must wear a mask, but the teammate only needs gloves
Correct Answer: B) Performing hand hygiene, wearing a facemask, and
clean gloves
Rationale: To prevent infection during CVC care, the protocol requires
performing hand hygiene and wearing a facemask and clean gloves. A
, mask is also required for the patient to prevent respiratory droplet
contamination .
8. What is the primary danger of incomplete or poor documentation in
a patient's medical record?
A) It results in a lower paycheck for the teammate.
B) It can lead to legal liability by suggesting care was not provided.
C) It has no impact if the patient received good care.
D) It only matters if the patient is transferred to another facility.
Correct Answer: B) It can lead to legal liability by suggesting care was
not provided.
Rationale: In healthcare, the standard is "If it wasn't documented, it
wasn't done." Poor documentation can be used in court to argue that
the standard of care was not met .
9. Why are patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) particularly
vulnerable to infections?
A) Because dialysis machines are often contaminated.
B) Because the uremic state weakens the immune system.
C) Because they are frequently hospitalized.
D) Because they are malnourished.
Correct Answer: B) Because the uremic state weakens the immune
system.
Rationale: The buildup of uremic toxins in the blood impairs white
blood cell function, making patients immunocompromised and highly
susceptible to infections .
10. A PCT must administer a saline bolus. What two specific items
must be documented?
A) The time and the patient's blood pressure
