DAVITA RN FINAL PAPER 2025/2026 QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔Kidney's excretory functions - ✔✔>normalize electrolytes
>remove waste
>provide fluid balance
> provide acid base balance
✔✔Hemodialysis replace normal excretory functions of kidneys - ✔✔>normalize
electrolytes through the use of acid concentration
>provide fluid balance through ultrafiltration (fluid pushed through SPM)
✔✔Function of acid concentrate - ✔✔>provides concentration gradient for diffusion
>helps normalize electrolytes
✔✔Function of bicarbonate - ✔✔>In the dialysate solution: buffers the acid
concentration
>when it diffuses into the patient's blood: normalizes body pH
✔✔Normal blood pH range - ✔✔7.35- 7.45
✔✔Hyperkalemia - ✔✔>5.5 mEq
Symptoms:
-extreme muscle weakness
-abnormal heart rhythm
-possible cardiac arrest
✔✔Hypokalemia - ✔✔<3.5
Symptoms:
-fatigue
-muscle weakness
-paralysis
-respiratory failure
-cardiac instability
-arrhythmias
-cardiac arrest
✔✔Kidney's endocrine functions - ✔✔>Renin secretion
>Erythropoietin secretion
>vitamin D activation
✔✔How do we replace the normal endocrine kidney function? - ✔✔Medications
✔✔How much of kidney function is replaced by hemodialysis? - ✔✔15%
, ✔✔Uremia - ✔✔>the build up of waste in the blood due to kidney failure
>affects all body systems
✔✔Most common causes of CKD in the USA - ✔✔>diabetes
>hypertension
>polycystic kidney disease
✔✔Treatment goals for a patient with CKD - ✔✔>slow the progression
>manage comorbidities and complications
>controlling symptoms
>minimize effects of patients life
>kidney replacement therapy modality education
>encouraging patient to actively participate in their healthcare
✔✔Why is it important to know what caused your patient's Chronic Kidney Disease
(CKD)? - ✔✔So, you can inquire about possible problems during data collection and
assessment
✔✔Fluid imbalance S/S - ✔✔>hypertension
>edema
>shortness of breath
✔✔Importance of sodium balance - ✔✔Sodium imbalance leads to:
>volume expansion
>increased cardiac output
>increased peripheral vascular resistance
>increased blood pressure
✔✔Systemic effects of CKD and interventions - ✔✔>dry itchy skin: use hyper-fatty
soaps and lotions
>peripheral neuropathy (nerve pin in the extremities): monitor patient for change in
motor function, decreased strength in legs, c/o restless legs, burning feet. Advise pt not
to walk barefoot and have good foot care practices.
>GI problems (N/V): educate to inform doctor or RN of bleeding/ conscription/ diarrhea/
ER visits, take medication as ordered (stool softeners or Imodium)
>psychological problems (anxiety/ depression): advise patient verbalize struggles to IDT
(core team) especially social worker.
✔✔Consequences of prolonged fluid overload and hypertension? - ✔✔Left ventricular
hypertrophy
✔✔Left ventricular hypertrophy - ✔✔Leads to: ischemic heart disease, arrhythmia,
myocardial infarction, and sudden death
Caused by: prolonged fluid overload and hypertension
ANSWERS GRADED A+
✔✔Kidney's excretory functions - ✔✔>normalize electrolytes
>remove waste
>provide fluid balance
> provide acid base balance
✔✔Hemodialysis replace normal excretory functions of kidneys - ✔✔>normalize
electrolytes through the use of acid concentration
>provide fluid balance through ultrafiltration (fluid pushed through SPM)
✔✔Function of acid concentrate - ✔✔>provides concentration gradient for diffusion
>helps normalize electrolytes
✔✔Function of bicarbonate - ✔✔>In the dialysate solution: buffers the acid
concentration
>when it diffuses into the patient's blood: normalizes body pH
✔✔Normal blood pH range - ✔✔7.35- 7.45
✔✔Hyperkalemia - ✔✔>5.5 mEq
Symptoms:
-extreme muscle weakness
-abnormal heart rhythm
-possible cardiac arrest
✔✔Hypokalemia - ✔✔<3.5
Symptoms:
-fatigue
-muscle weakness
-paralysis
-respiratory failure
-cardiac instability
-arrhythmias
-cardiac arrest
✔✔Kidney's endocrine functions - ✔✔>Renin secretion
>Erythropoietin secretion
>vitamin D activation
✔✔How do we replace the normal endocrine kidney function? - ✔✔Medications
✔✔How much of kidney function is replaced by hemodialysis? - ✔✔15%
, ✔✔Uremia - ✔✔>the build up of waste in the blood due to kidney failure
>affects all body systems
✔✔Most common causes of CKD in the USA - ✔✔>diabetes
>hypertension
>polycystic kidney disease
✔✔Treatment goals for a patient with CKD - ✔✔>slow the progression
>manage comorbidities and complications
>controlling symptoms
>minimize effects of patients life
>kidney replacement therapy modality education
>encouraging patient to actively participate in their healthcare
✔✔Why is it important to know what caused your patient's Chronic Kidney Disease
(CKD)? - ✔✔So, you can inquire about possible problems during data collection and
assessment
✔✔Fluid imbalance S/S - ✔✔>hypertension
>edema
>shortness of breath
✔✔Importance of sodium balance - ✔✔Sodium imbalance leads to:
>volume expansion
>increased cardiac output
>increased peripheral vascular resistance
>increased blood pressure
✔✔Systemic effects of CKD and interventions - ✔✔>dry itchy skin: use hyper-fatty
soaps and lotions
>peripheral neuropathy (nerve pin in the extremities): monitor patient for change in
motor function, decreased strength in legs, c/o restless legs, burning feet. Advise pt not
to walk barefoot and have good foot care practices.
>GI problems (N/V): educate to inform doctor or RN of bleeding/ conscription/ diarrhea/
ER visits, take medication as ordered (stool softeners or Imodium)
>psychological problems (anxiety/ depression): advise patient verbalize struggles to IDT
(core team) especially social worker.
✔✔Consequences of prolonged fluid overload and hypertension? - ✔✔Left ventricular
hypertrophy
✔✔Left ventricular hypertrophy - ✔✔Leads to: ischemic heart disease, arrhythmia,
myocardial infarction, and sudden death
Caused by: prolonged fluid overload and hypertension
