Fresenius annual competency test questions with
answers 100% correct
Course
Fresenius
1. What is the primary function of a dialyzer in hemodialysis?
Answer: To remove waste products and excess fluids from the blood.
Rationale: The dialyzer acts as an artificial kidney, filtering toxins such as urea and
maintaining fluid balance, critical for patients with renal failure.
2. Why is it important to monitor a patient's blood pressure during dialysis?
Answer: To detect hypotension or hypertension, which are common complications.
Rationale: Blood pressure fluctuations can signal fluid imbalances or cardiovascular issues
that need immediate intervention to prevent harm.
3. What is ultrafiltration during dialysis?
Answer: The process of removing excess water from the blood through a pressure gradient.
Rationale: Ultrafiltration helps maintain proper fluid levels in patients who cannot urinate
and are prone to fluid overload.
4. What are the signs of an air embolism during dialysis?
Answer: Shortness of breath, chest pain, hypotension, and cyanosis.
Rationale: An air embolism is a medical emergency caused by air entering the bloodstream,
which can obstruct blood flow to vital organs.
5. How can an air embolism be prevented in the dialysis circuit?
Answer: By ensuring all connections are secure, priming lines properly, and using air
detectors.
Rationale: Preventing air from entering the system avoids a life-threatening situation where
air blocks blood circulation.
6. What does a patient’s "dry weight" represent?
Answer: The patient’s weight without excess fluid.
Rationale: Dry weight is used to guide fluid removal during dialysis to prevent fluid
overload or dehydration.
7. What is the normal conductivity range of dialysis fluid?
Answer: Between 13.5 and 15.5 mS/cm.
Rationale: This ensures the proper concentration of electrolytes and minimizes the risk of
chemical imbalances or metabolic issues during dialysis.
, 8. What actions should be taken if a patient experiences muscle cramps during
dialysis?
Answer: Reduce the ultrafiltration rate and administer saline.
Rationale: Cramps often result from rapid fluid removal, and rehydration or slowing
ultrafiltration helps reduce discomfort.
9. Why is it critical to verify the dialyzer’s integrity before each use?
Answer: To ensure there are no leaks, cracks, or defects.
Rationale: A damaged dialyzer can lead to inefficient dialysis or exposure to blood-borne
pathogens, compromising patient safety.
10. What does Kt/V measure in dialysis adequacy?
Answer: The clearance of urea from the blood.
Rationale: Kt/V assesses whether the dialysis session effectively removes waste products,
ensuring adequate treatment.
11. What are the consequences of incorrect anticoagulation during dialysis?
Answer: Clotting in the dialyzer or bleeding in the patient.
Rationale: Insufficient anticoagulation can cause clotting in the extracorporeal circuit, while
excessive anticoagulation increases the risk of bleeding.
12. What should be done if a patient experiences chest pain during dialysis?
Answer: Stop ultrafiltration, reduce the blood flow rate, and administer oxygen.
Rationale: Chest pain could indicate cardiovascular stress or inadequate oxygenation, which
requires immediate action to prevent a cardiac event.
13. Why is water treatment vital for dialysis?
Answer: To prevent contaminants in water from entering the patient’s bloodstream.
Rationale: Dialysis uses large volumes of water, and any contamination can cause severe
infections or reactions in patients.
14. What is the target potassium range in dialysis patients?
Answer: Between 3.5 and 5.5 mEq/L.
Rationale: Maintaining appropriate potassium levels is critical, as too much can cause
arrhythmias, while too little can lead to muscle weakness.
15. How do you assess an AV fistula for patency?
Answer: By palpating for a thrill and auscultating for a bruit.
Rationale: A strong thrill and bruit indicate proper blood flow through the fistula, which is
essential for effective dialysis.
answers 100% correct
Course
Fresenius
1. What is the primary function of a dialyzer in hemodialysis?
Answer: To remove waste products and excess fluids from the blood.
Rationale: The dialyzer acts as an artificial kidney, filtering toxins such as urea and
maintaining fluid balance, critical for patients with renal failure.
2. Why is it important to monitor a patient's blood pressure during dialysis?
Answer: To detect hypotension or hypertension, which are common complications.
Rationale: Blood pressure fluctuations can signal fluid imbalances or cardiovascular issues
that need immediate intervention to prevent harm.
3. What is ultrafiltration during dialysis?
Answer: The process of removing excess water from the blood through a pressure gradient.
Rationale: Ultrafiltration helps maintain proper fluid levels in patients who cannot urinate
and are prone to fluid overload.
4. What are the signs of an air embolism during dialysis?
Answer: Shortness of breath, chest pain, hypotension, and cyanosis.
Rationale: An air embolism is a medical emergency caused by air entering the bloodstream,
which can obstruct blood flow to vital organs.
5. How can an air embolism be prevented in the dialysis circuit?
Answer: By ensuring all connections are secure, priming lines properly, and using air
detectors.
Rationale: Preventing air from entering the system avoids a life-threatening situation where
air blocks blood circulation.
6. What does a patient’s "dry weight" represent?
Answer: The patient’s weight without excess fluid.
Rationale: Dry weight is used to guide fluid removal during dialysis to prevent fluid
overload or dehydration.
7. What is the normal conductivity range of dialysis fluid?
Answer: Between 13.5 and 15.5 mS/cm.
Rationale: This ensures the proper concentration of electrolytes and minimizes the risk of
chemical imbalances or metabolic issues during dialysis.
, 8. What actions should be taken if a patient experiences muscle cramps during
dialysis?
Answer: Reduce the ultrafiltration rate and administer saline.
Rationale: Cramps often result from rapid fluid removal, and rehydration or slowing
ultrafiltration helps reduce discomfort.
9. Why is it critical to verify the dialyzer’s integrity before each use?
Answer: To ensure there are no leaks, cracks, or defects.
Rationale: A damaged dialyzer can lead to inefficient dialysis or exposure to blood-borne
pathogens, compromising patient safety.
10. What does Kt/V measure in dialysis adequacy?
Answer: The clearance of urea from the blood.
Rationale: Kt/V assesses whether the dialysis session effectively removes waste products,
ensuring adequate treatment.
11. What are the consequences of incorrect anticoagulation during dialysis?
Answer: Clotting in the dialyzer or bleeding in the patient.
Rationale: Insufficient anticoagulation can cause clotting in the extracorporeal circuit, while
excessive anticoagulation increases the risk of bleeding.
12. What should be done if a patient experiences chest pain during dialysis?
Answer: Stop ultrafiltration, reduce the blood flow rate, and administer oxygen.
Rationale: Chest pain could indicate cardiovascular stress or inadequate oxygenation, which
requires immediate action to prevent a cardiac event.
13. Why is water treatment vital for dialysis?
Answer: To prevent contaminants in water from entering the patient’s bloodstream.
Rationale: Dialysis uses large volumes of water, and any contamination can cause severe
infections or reactions in patients.
14. What is the target potassium range in dialysis patients?
Answer: Between 3.5 and 5.5 mEq/L.
Rationale: Maintaining appropriate potassium levels is critical, as too much can cause
arrhythmias, while too little can lead to muscle weakness.
15. How do you assess an AV fistula for patency?
Answer: By palpating for a thrill and auscultating for a bruit.
Rationale: A strong thrill and bruit indicate proper blood flow through the fistula, which is
essential for effective dialysis.
