DaVita RN Final Exam UPDATED 2026 –
Complete Questions & Verified Correct
Answers Plus Rationales | Graded A+
1. The primary purpose of hemodialysis is to:
A. Replace endocrine functions of kidney
B. Remove excess fluids and solutes
C. Cure chronic kidney disease
D. Improve appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Hemodialysis filters blood to remove wastes and excess fluid.
2. Diffusion in dialysis refers to:
A. Fluid removal
B. Solute movement from high to low concentration
C. Solvent drag
D. Heat transfer
Answer: B
Rationale: Diffusion equalizes solute levels across membrane.
3. Ultrafiltration is best described as:
A. Blood flow rate
B. Fluid removal by pressure
C. Dialysate concentration
D. Potassium balance
Answer: B
Rationale: Fluid is removed by transmembrane pressure.
4. A high Kt/V value indicates:
A. Poor dialysis
B. Adequate dialysis
C. Low blood flow
D. High ultrafiltration
Answer: B
Rationale: Kt/V measures dialysis dose adequacy.
5. Dialysate is:
A. Patient’s blood
B. Sterile saline
C. A solution that removes waste
D. Antibiotic mixture
Answer: C
Rationale: Dialysate pulls solutes from blood.
6. The ideal access for long-term dialysis is:
A. Peripheral IV
B. AV fistula
, C. Central line
D. Venipuncture
Answer: B
Rationale: Fistula has highest patency and lowest infection.
7. Recirculation during dialysis means:
A. All blood is cleaned
B. Clean dialysate reused
C. Treated blood reenters dialyzer
D. Pump malfunction
Answer: C
Rationale: Recirculation lowers efficiency.
8. Heparin is used in dialysis to:
A. Control BP
B. Prevent clotting in circuit
C. Improve potassium removal
D. Increase ultrafiltration
Answer: B
Rationale: Anticoagulation prevents clot formation.
9. BUN stands for:
A. Blood Urea Nitrogen
B. Basic Urinalysis Nephron
C. Bilirubin United Norm
D. Blood Urea Number
Answer: A
Rationale: BUN reflects waste accumulation.
10. Dialyzer “membrane compromise” alarms signal:
A. Adequate flow
B. Loss of membrane integrity
C. Correct anticoagulation
D. Normal operation
Answer: B
Rationale: Membrane leaks risk blood/dialysate mixing.
11–20: Access & Vascular Complications
11. The most common cause of AV fistula failure is:
A. Infection
B. Stenosis
C. Bruising
D. Hematoma
Answer: B
Rationale: Stenosis reduces flow and patency.
12. A bruit and thrill indicate:
A. Infection
, B. Patent access
C. Clotting inside dialyzer
D. Kinked lines
Answer: B
Rationale: Audible/tactile flow indicates good access.
13. If an access site stops “thrilling,” the nurse should:
A. Ignore
B. Check for clot/stenosis
C. Increase flow rate
D. Change needles
Answer: B
Rationale: Loss of thrill suggests occlusion/clot.
14. A new AV fistula should not be cannulated for:
A. 24 hrs
B. One week
C. 4–6 weeks
D. Until healed
Answer: C
Rationale: Maturation period required for strength.
15. Signs of infection at access include:
A. Warmth, redness, purulence
B. Cool skin only
C. Itching
D. Increased thrill
Answer: A
Rationale: Classic infection markers.
16. Steal syndrome RT fistula presents with:
A. Pain distal to access
B. Bruit increase
C. No sensation change
D. Improved blood flow
Answer: A
Rationale: Blood is “stolen” from distal limb causing ischemia.
17. If a needle infiltrates the fistula, the nurse should:
A. Continue dialysis
B. Remove needle and apply pressure
C. Increase pump speed
D. Call physician next day
Answer: B
Rationale: Prevents hematoma and loss of access.
18. A graft differs from a fistula because:
A. Uses synthetic material
B. Is native vessel
C. Never clots
D. Doesn’t need needles
Complete Questions & Verified Correct
Answers Plus Rationales | Graded A+
1. The primary purpose of hemodialysis is to:
A. Replace endocrine functions of kidney
B. Remove excess fluids and solutes
C. Cure chronic kidney disease
D. Improve appetite
Answer: B
Rationale: Hemodialysis filters blood to remove wastes and excess fluid.
2. Diffusion in dialysis refers to:
A. Fluid removal
B. Solute movement from high to low concentration
C. Solvent drag
D. Heat transfer
Answer: B
Rationale: Diffusion equalizes solute levels across membrane.
3. Ultrafiltration is best described as:
A. Blood flow rate
B. Fluid removal by pressure
C. Dialysate concentration
D. Potassium balance
Answer: B
Rationale: Fluid is removed by transmembrane pressure.
4. A high Kt/V value indicates:
A. Poor dialysis
B. Adequate dialysis
C. Low blood flow
D. High ultrafiltration
Answer: B
Rationale: Kt/V measures dialysis dose adequacy.
5. Dialysate is:
A. Patient’s blood
B. Sterile saline
C. A solution that removes waste
D. Antibiotic mixture
Answer: C
Rationale: Dialysate pulls solutes from blood.
6. The ideal access for long-term dialysis is:
A. Peripheral IV
B. AV fistula
, C. Central line
D. Venipuncture
Answer: B
Rationale: Fistula has highest patency and lowest infection.
7. Recirculation during dialysis means:
A. All blood is cleaned
B. Clean dialysate reused
C. Treated blood reenters dialyzer
D. Pump malfunction
Answer: C
Rationale: Recirculation lowers efficiency.
8. Heparin is used in dialysis to:
A. Control BP
B. Prevent clotting in circuit
C. Improve potassium removal
D. Increase ultrafiltration
Answer: B
Rationale: Anticoagulation prevents clot formation.
9. BUN stands for:
A. Blood Urea Nitrogen
B. Basic Urinalysis Nephron
C. Bilirubin United Norm
D. Blood Urea Number
Answer: A
Rationale: BUN reflects waste accumulation.
10. Dialyzer “membrane compromise” alarms signal:
A. Adequate flow
B. Loss of membrane integrity
C. Correct anticoagulation
D. Normal operation
Answer: B
Rationale: Membrane leaks risk blood/dialysate mixing.
11–20: Access & Vascular Complications
11. The most common cause of AV fistula failure is:
A. Infection
B. Stenosis
C. Bruising
D. Hematoma
Answer: B
Rationale: Stenosis reduces flow and patency.
12. A bruit and thrill indicate:
A. Infection
, B. Patent access
C. Clotting inside dialyzer
D. Kinked lines
Answer: B
Rationale: Audible/tactile flow indicates good access.
13. If an access site stops “thrilling,” the nurse should:
A. Ignore
B. Check for clot/stenosis
C. Increase flow rate
D. Change needles
Answer: B
Rationale: Loss of thrill suggests occlusion/clot.
14. A new AV fistula should not be cannulated for:
A. 24 hrs
B. One week
C. 4–6 weeks
D. Until healed
Answer: C
Rationale: Maturation period required for strength.
15. Signs of infection at access include:
A. Warmth, redness, purulence
B. Cool skin only
C. Itching
D. Increased thrill
Answer: A
Rationale: Classic infection markers.
16. Steal syndrome RT fistula presents with:
A. Pain distal to access
B. Bruit increase
C. No sensation change
D. Improved blood flow
Answer: A
Rationale: Blood is “stolen” from distal limb causing ischemia.
17. If a needle infiltrates the fistula, the nurse should:
A. Continue dialysis
B. Remove needle and apply pressure
C. Increase pump speed
D. Call physician next day
Answer: B
Rationale: Prevents hematoma and loss of access.
18. A graft differs from a fistula because:
A. Uses synthetic material
B. Is native vessel
C. Never clots
D. Doesn’t need needles
