1|Page
DAVITA PCT EXAM NEWEST 2026/ 2027 ACTUAL EXAM TEST
BANK| DAVITA (PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN) PCT FINAL EXAM
PREP WITH COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
VERIFIED ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
1. A patient care technician (PCT) is preparing a patient for hemodialysis
and notices that the patient has an arteriovenous fistula in the left arm.
Which action is appropriate?
A. Obtain the blood pressure from the left arm before dialysis
B. Apply a tight tourniquet over the fistula for several minutes
C. Avoid blood pressure measurements and venipuncture in the fistula
arm
D. Use the fistula arm for routine blood draws whenever possible
Answer: C
Rationale: The access arm should be protected from blood pressure
measurements, venipuncture, and unnecessary compression to
preserve vascular access function.
2. Before initiating a dialysis treatment, a PCT palpates the patient's AV
fistula and does not feel the usual vibration. What should the PCT do?
A. Begin treatment and reassess the access later
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B. Report the absence of the thrill immediately to the appropriate
dialysis nurse
C. Apply pressure over the fistula to restore circulation
D. Ask the patient to exercise the arm vigorously
Answer: B
Rationale: An absent thrill may indicate access occlusion or thrombosis
and requires prompt assessment by the dialysis nurse.
3. A patient arrives for dialysis with a pre-treatment weight significantly
higher than the prescribed target weight. What does this difference
primarily represent?
A. Interdialytic fluid gain
B. Increased bone density
C. Loss of muscle mass
D. Decreased total body water
Answer: A
Rationale: Weight gained between dialysis treatments is commonly
used to estimate fluid accumulation and helps determine the prescribed
ultrafiltration goal.
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4. A PCT obtains a patient's pre-dialysis blood pressure and finds it to be
198/104 mmHg. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Ignore the reading because hypertension is common in dialysis
patients
B. Immediately give the patient a medication without an order
C. Recheck as appropriate and promptly report the abnormal finding to
the nurse
D. Begin treatment without documenting the blood pressure
Answer: C
Rationale: Significantly elevated blood pressure requires accurate
assessment, documentation, and prompt communication to the
responsible nurse.
5. During hemodialysis, a patient suddenly reports chest pain and
difficulty breathing. What should the PCT do first?
A. Stop monitoring the patient and leave to find another patient
B. Immediately notify the dialysis nurse and remain with the patient
while following facility emergency procedures
C. Give the patient food
D. Increase the ultrafiltration rate
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Answer: B
Rationale: New chest pain and dyspnea may indicate a serious
cardiovascular or respiratory complication. Immediate assessment and
escalation are required.
6. A patient becomes pale, sweaty, weak, and confused during dialysis.
Which complication should the PCT suspect?
A. Hypotension or another acute dialysis-related complication
B. Improved circulation
C. Normal post-dialysis fatigue
D. Increased appetite
Answer: A
Rationale: Pallor, diaphoresis, weakness, and confusion can occur with
hypotension or other acute complications and require immediate
assessment.
7. A patient receiving hemodialysis becomes dizzy when standing after
treatment. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage the patient to walk independently to the waiting area
B. Assist the patient to a safe seated or lying position and notify the
nurse
DAVITA PCT EXAM NEWEST 2026/ 2027 ACTUAL EXAM TEST
BANK| DAVITA (PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN) PCT FINAL EXAM
PREP WITH COMPLETE EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
VERIFIED ANSWERS/ ALREADY GRADED A+ (MOST RECENT!!)
1. A patient care technician (PCT) is preparing a patient for hemodialysis
and notices that the patient has an arteriovenous fistula in the left arm.
Which action is appropriate?
A. Obtain the blood pressure from the left arm before dialysis
B. Apply a tight tourniquet over the fistula for several minutes
C. Avoid blood pressure measurements and venipuncture in the fistula
arm
D. Use the fistula arm for routine blood draws whenever possible
Answer: C
Rationale: The access arm should be protected from blood pressure
measurements, venipuncture, and unnecessary compression to
preserve vascular access function.
2. Before initiating a dialysis treatment, a PCT palpates the patient's AV
fistula and does not feel the usual vibration. What should the PCT do?
A. Begin treatment and reassess the access later
,2|Page
B. Report the absence of the thrill immediately to the appropriate
dialysis nurse
C. Apply pressure over the fistula to restore circulation
D. Ask the patient to exercise the arm vigorously
Answer: B
Rationale: An absent thrill may indicate access occlusion or thrombosis
and requires prompt assessment by the dialysis nurse.
3. A patient arrives for dialysis with a pre-treatment weight significantly
higher than the prescribed target weight. What does this difference
primarily represent?
A. Interdialytic fluid gain
B. Increased bone density
C. Loss of muscle mass
D. Decreased total body water
Answer: A
Rationale: Weight gained between dialysis treatments is commonly
used to estimate fluid accumulation and helps determine the prescribed
ultrafiltration goal.
,3|Page
4. A PCT obtains a patient's pre-dialysis blood pressure and finds it to be
198/104 mmHg. What is the most appropriate action?
A. Ignore the reading because hypertension is common in dialysis
patients
B. Immediately give the patient a medication without an order
C. Recheck as appropriate and promptly report the abnormal finding to
the nurse
D. Begin treatment without documenting the blood pressure
Answer: C
Rationale: Significantly elevated blood pressure requires accurate
assessment, documentation, and prompt communication to the
responsible nurse.
5. During hemodialysis, a patient suddenly reports chest pain and
difficulty breathing. What should the PCT do first?
A. Stop monitoring the patient and leave to find another patient
B. Immediately notify the dialysis nurse and remain with the patient
while following facility emergency procedures
C. Give the patient food
D. Increase the ultrafiltration rate
, 4|Page
Answer: B
Rationale: New chest pain and dyspnea may indicate a serious
cardiovascular or respiratory complication. Immediate assessment and
escalation are required.
6. A patient becomes pale, sweaty, weak, and confused during dialysis.
Which complication should the PCT suspect?
A. Hypotension or another acute dialysis-related complication
B. Improved circulation
C. Normal post-dialysis fatigue
D. Increased appetite
Answer: A
Rationale: Pallor, diaphoresis, weakness, and confusion can occur with
hypotension or other acute complications and require immediate
assessment.
7. A patient receiving hemodialysis becomes dizzy when standing after
treatment. Which intervention is most appropriate?
A. Encourage the patient to walk independently to the waiting area
B. Assist the patient to a safe seated or lying position and notify the
nurse
