DAVITA PCT FINAL EXAM ACTUAL EXAM 2026 — 300
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
SECTION 1: KIDNEY ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, AND ESRD FUNDAMENTALS
(Questions 130)
Question 1
The primary function of the kidneys includes:
A. Production of red blood cells
B. Regulation of blood pressure
C. Filtering waste products from the blood
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The kidneys perform multiple vital functions, including filtering
waste products (urea, creatinine) from the blood, regulating blood pressure
through the reninangiotensinaldosterone system, and producing
erythropoietin (EPO) which stimulates red blood cell production.
,Question 2
Which structure is considered the basic structural and functional unit of the
kidney?
A. The renal cortex
B. The nephron
C. The renal pelvis
D. The glomerular capsule only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nephron is the basic structural and functional unit of the
kidney, with approximately one million nephrons per kidney. Each nephron
consists of a glomerulus and a tubule system that filters blood and produces
urine.
Question 3
What is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the United
States?
A. Hypertension
B. Diabetes mellitus
C. Glomerulonephritis
D. Polycystic kidney disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease in
the United States, followed by hypertension. Both conditions damage the
,small blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to progressive loss of kidney
function over time.
Question 4
The excretory functions of the kidneys include:
A. Fluid balance and electrolyte balance
B. Renin and erythropoietin secretion
C. Vitamin D activation
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The excretory functions of the kidneys include fluid balance,
electrolyte balance, removal of wastes, and acidbase balance. Endocrine
functions include renin secretion, erythropoietin secretion, and vitamin D
activation.
Question 5
What percentage of normal kidney function is typically replaced by
hemodialysis?
A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 15%
D. 25%
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hemodialysis typically replaces about 15% of normal kidney
function. This is sufficient to sustain life but does not fully replicate all the
complex functions of healthy kidneys.
Question 6
Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) in dialysis patients can lead to:
A. Improved cardiac output
B. Ischemic heart disease and heart failure
C. Decreased blood pressure
D. Reduced need for dialysis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Left Ventricular Hypertrophy leads to ischemic heart disease, heart
failure, and increased cardiovascular mortality. LVH is common in ESRD
patients due to chronic volume overload and hypertension.
Question 7
Which hormone produced by the kidneys stimulates red blood cell
production?
A. Renin
B. Erythropoietin
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES
SECTION 1: KIDNEY ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, AND ESRD FUNDAMENTALS
(Questions 130)
Question 1
The primary function of the kidneys includes:
A. Production of red blood cells
B. Regulation of blood pressure
C. Filtering waste products from the blood
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The kidneys perform multiple vital functions, including filtering
waste products (urea, creatinine) from the blood, regulating blood pressure
through the reninangiotensinaldosterone system, and producing
erythropoietin (EPO) which stimulates red blood cell production.
,Question 2
Which structure is considered the basic structural and functional unit of the
kidney?
A. The renal cortex
B. The nephron
C. The renal pelvis
D. The glomerular capsule only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The nephron is the basic structural and functional unit of the
kidney, with approximately one million nephrons per kidney. Each nephron
consists of a glomerulus and a tubule system that filters blood and produces
urine.
Question 3
What is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the United
States?
A. Hypertension
B. Diabetes mellitus
C. Glomerulonephritis
D. Polycystic kidney disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease in
the United States, followed by hypertension. Both conditions damage the
,small blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to progressive loss of kidney
function over time.
Question 4
The excretory functions of the kidneys include:
A. Fluid balance and electrolyte balance
B. Renin and erythropoietin secretion
C. Vitamin D activation
D. All of the above
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The excretory functions of the kidneys include fluid balance,
electrolyte balance, removal of wastes, and acidbase balance. Endocrine
functions include renin secretion, erythropoietin secretion, and vitamin D
activation.
Question 5
What percentage of normal kidney function is typically replaced by
hemodialysis?
A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 15%
D. 25%
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Hemodialysis typically replaces about 15% of normal kidney
function. This is sufficient to sustain life but does not fully replicate all the
complex functions of healthy kidneys.
Question 6
Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) in dialysis patients can lead to:
A. Improved cardiac output
B. Ischemic heart disease and heart failure
C. Decreased blood pressure
D. Reduced need for dialysis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Left Ventricular Hypertrophy leads to ischemic heart disease, heart
failure, and increased cardiovascular mortality. LVH is common in ESRD
patients due to chronic volume overload and hypertension.
Question 7
Which hormone produced by the kidneys stimulates red blood cell
production?
A. Renin
B. Erythropoietin
