DAVITA PCT FINAL EXAM ACTUAL EXAM 2026 |
2 DIFFERENT VERSIONS | ALL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(ALREADY GRADED A+) | LATEST VERSIONS
Course
DAVITA PCT
1. What is the primary purpose of hemodialysis?
A. Increase red blood cell production
B. Remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood
C. Increase blood glucose
D. Replace all endocrine functions of the kidney
Answer: B
Rationale: Hemodialysis removes metabolic waste, excess electrolytes, and fluid from the blood
when the kidneys cannot adequately perform these functions.
2. Which vascular access is generally considered the preferred long-term access for
hemodialysis when feasible?
A. AV fistula
B. Peripheral IV
C. Temporary central venous catheter
D. Arterial line
Answer: A
Rationale: An arteriovenous fistula generally provides durable access with lower infection and
thrombosis risk than a central venous catheter.
3. Before cannulating an AV fistula, which assessment is particularly important?
A. Check for a thrill and bruit
B. Measure temperature only
C. Check visual acuity
D. Assess bowel sounds
,Answer: A
Rationale: A palpable thrill and audible bruit provide evidence of blood flow through the access.
Absence or a significant change may indicate access dysfunction and should be reported
promptly.
4. Which finding may indicate infection at a dialysis access site?
A. Redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage
B. A normal bruit
C. Intact skin without tenderness
D. Normal access flow
Answer: A
Rationale: Local erythema, warmth, swelling, pain, or drainage can indicate infection and
requires prompt clinical assessment.
5. What should a patient with an AV fistula generally avoid on the access arm?
A. Blood pressure measurements and venipuncture unless specifically authorized
B. Gentle inspection
C. Checking the access
D. Normal hand movement
Answer: A
Rationale: Unnecessary compression or puncture of the access arm can compromise vascular
access. Patients should follow their dialysis team's specific access-care instructions.
6. Which symptom during dialysis may indicate hypotension?
A. Dizziness and nausea
B. Improved alertness
C. Increased appetite
D. Warm hands only
Answer: A
Rationale: Intradialytic hypotension may produce dizziness, nausea, weakness, cramping, or
altered consciousness.
,7. A patient becomes dizzy and hypotensive during treatment. What should the PCT do first?
A. Ignore the symptoms
B. Immediately notify the appropriate dialysis nurse and follow the facility protocol
C. Increase ultrafiltration independently
D. Give medication without authorization
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypotension during dialysis can become serious. The PCT should promptly
communicate the change and follow established facility procedures rather than independently
altering treatment.
8. What does ultrafiltration primarily accomplish during hemodialysis?
A. Removes excess fluid
B. Produces insulin
C. Increases hemoglobin immediately
D. Removes all medications
Answer: A
Rationale: Ultrafiltration removes plasma water across the dialysis membrane according to the
prescribed treatment parameters.
9. What is a patient's dry weight?
A. The patient's weight after an appropriate fluid removal target has been achieved
B. The patient's weight before breakfast
C. The weight of the dialysis machine
D. The patient's lowest possible body weight
Answer: A
Rationale: Dry weight is a clinical target representing the patient's approximate weight after
excess fluid has been removed, without signs of significant fluid overload or depletion.
10. Why are pre- and post-dialysis weights important?
, A. They help assess fluid removal during treatment
B. They determine blood type
C. They diagnose infection independently
D. They replace vital signs
Answer: A
Rationale: Comparing weights helps the dialysis team evaluate fluid gains between treatments
and the amount of fluid removed during treatment.
11. Which electrolyte is particularly important in dialysis patients because severe abnormalities
can cause cardiac dysrhythmias?
A. Potassium
B. Chloride only
C. Fluoride
D. Iodine
Answer: A
Rationale: Potassium abnormalities can significantly affect cardiac conduction. Dialysis helps
manage potassium balance, but monitoring remains essential.
12. A patient reports severe muscle cramping during dialysis. What should the PCT do?
A. Report the symptom promptly to the dialysis nurse
B. Tell the patient it is always harmless
C. Increase fluid removal
D. Leave the patient unattended
Answer: A
Rationale: Cramping can occur during fluid removal and may be associated with changes in
volume or blood pressure. The dialysis nurse should assess the patient.
13. Which finding requires immediate attention during dialysis?
A. Sudden chest pain and shortness of breath
B. Mild conversation
2 DIFFERENT VERSIONS | ALL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(ALREADY GRADED A+) | LATEST VERSIONS
Course
DAVITA PCT
1. What is the primary purpose of hemodialysis?
A. Increase red blood cell production
B. Remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood
C. Increase blood glucose
D. Replace all endocrine functions of the kidney
Answer: B
Rationale: Hemodialysis removes metabolic waste, excess electrolytes, and fluid from the blood
when the kidneys cannot adequately perform these functions.
2. Which vascular access is generally considered the preferred long-term access for
hemodialysis when feasible?
A. AV fistula
B. Peripheral IV
C. Temporary central venous catheter
D. Arterial line
Answer: A
Rationale: An arteriovenous fistula generally provides durable access with lower infection and
thrombosis risk than a central venous catheter.
3. Before cannulating an AV fistula, which assessment is particularly important?
A. Check for a thrill and bruit
B. Measure temperature only
C. Check visual acuity
D. Assess bowel sounds
,Answer: A
Rationale: A palpable thrill and audible bruit provide evidence of blood flow through the access.
Absence or a significant change may indicate access dysfunction and should be reported
promptly.
4. Which finding may indicate infection at a dialysis access site?
A. Redness, warmth, swelling, or drainage
B. A normal bruit
C. Intact skin without tenderness
D. Normal access flow
Answer: A
Rationale: Local erythema, warmth, swelling, pain, or drainage can indicate infection and
requires prompt clinical assessment.
5. What should a patient with an AV fistula generally avoid on the access arm?
A. Blood pressure measurements and venipuncture unless specifically authorized
B. Gentle inspection
C. Checking the access
D. Normal hand movement
Answer: A
Rationale: Unnecessary compression or puncture of the access arm can compromise vascular
access. Patients should follow their dialysis team's specific access-care instructions.
6. Which symptom during dialysis may indicate hypotension?
A. Dizziness and nausea
B. Improved alertness
C. Increased appetite
D. Warm hands only
Answer: A
Rationale: Intradialytic hypotension may produce dizziness, nausea, weakness, cramping, or
altered consciousness.
,7. A patient becomes dizzy and hypotensive during treatment. What should the PCT do first?
A. Ignore the symptoms
B. Immediately notify the appropriate dialysis nurse and follow the facility protocol
C. Increase ultrafiltration independently
D. Give medication without authorization
Answer: B
Rationale: Hypotension during dialysis can become serious. The PCT should promptly
communicate the change and follow established facility procedures rather than independently
altering treatment.
8. What does ultrafiltration primarily accomplish during hemodialysis?
A. Removes excess fluid
B. Produces insulin
C. Increases hemoglobin immediately
D. Removes all medications
Answer: A
Rationale: Ultrafiltration removes plasma water across the dialysis membrane according to the
prescribed treatment parameters.
9. What is a patient's dry weight?
A. The patient's weight after an appropriate fluid removal target has been achieved
B. The patient's weight before breakfast
C. The weight of the dialysis machine
D. The patient's lowest possible body weight
Answer: A
Rationale: Dry weight is a clinical target representing the patient's approximate weight after
excess fluid has been removed, without signs of significant fluid overload or depletion.
10. Why are pre- and post-dialysis weights important?
, A. They help assess fluid removal during treatment
B. They determine blood type
C. They diagnose infection independently
D. They replace vital signs
Answer: A
Rationale: Comparing weights helps the dialysis team evaluate fluid gains between treatments
and the amount of fluid removed during treatment.
11. Which electrolyte is particularly important in dialysis patients because severe abnormalities
can cause cardiac dysrhythmias?
A. Potassium
B. Chloride only
C. Fluoride
D. Iodine
Answer: A
Rationale: Potassium abnormalities can significantly affect cardiac conduction. Dialysis helps
manage potassium balance, but monitoring remains essential.
12. A patient reports severe muscle cramping during dialysis. What should the PCT do?
A. Report the symptom promptly to the dialysis nurse
B. Tell the patient it is always harmless
C. Increase fluid removal
D. Leave the patient unattended
Answer: A
Rationale: Cramping can occur during fluid removal and may be associated with changes in
volume or blood pressure. The dialysis nurse should assess the patient.
13. Which finding requires immediate attention during dialysis?
A. Sudden chest pain and shortness of breath
B. Mild conversation
