1
DAVITA PCT MIDTERM EXAM 2026/2027 | PATIENT
CARE TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION | EXPERT
VERIFIED | 100 QUESTIONS & COMPLETE
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: HEMODIALYSIS PRINCIPLES & TRANSPORT MECHANISMS (Questions 1-15)
Q1: The four transport mechanisms that play a role in hemodialysis are:
A. Ultrafiltration, Convection, Diffusion, and Osmosis
B. Filtration, Absorption, Diffusion, and Osmosis
C. Ultrafiltration, Convection, Active Transport, and Osmosis
D. Diffusion, Osmosis, Filtration, and Secretion
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The four transport mechanisms that play a role in hemodialysis are ultrafiltration,
convection, diffusion, and osmosis. These mechanisms work together in hemodialysis: diffusion
removes waste by concentration gradient, osmosis balances water movement, convection drags
larger molecules with fluid across the membrane, and ultrafiltration controls fluid removal via
hydrostatic pressure . Key teaching point: The four mechanisms are Ultrafiltration, Convection,
Diffusion, and Osmosis.
Q2: The movement of solutes from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower
concentration is called:
A. Ultrafiltration
B. Diffusion
C. Osmosis
D. Convection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diffusion is the movement of solutes from an area of higher concentration to an area of
lower concentration. This is the primary mechanism by which hemodialysis removes metabolic
waste products such as urea and creatinine. The concentration gradient between the blood and
dialysate drives solute movement . Key teaching point: Diffusion = solutes move from HIGH to LOW
concentration.
Q3: The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute
concentration to an area of higher solute concentration is called:
A. Ultrafiltration
B. Diffusion
,2
C. Osmosis
D. Convection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of
lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. This is one of the transport
mechanisms in hemodialysis that helps balance fluid and electrolyte levels . Key teaching
point: Osmosis = water moves across a membrane to balance solute concentrations.
Q4: Fluid is pushed through the semipermeable membrane. This describes which transport
mechanism?
A. Ultrafiltration
B. Convection
C. Diffusion
D. Osmosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ultrafiltration is the process where fluid is pushed through the semipermeable
membrane by hydrostatic pressure. This mechanism is essential for removing excess fluid from the
patient during hemodialysis, preventing fluid overload, pulmonary edema, and hypertension . Key
teaching point: Ultrafiltration = fluid removal via hydrostatic pressure.
Q5: Solutes are dragged across a semipermeable membrane with fluid. This describes which
transport mechanism?
A. Ultrafiltration
B. Convection
C. Diffusion
D. Osmosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Convection involves the movement of solutes along with fluid across the membrane due
to hydrostatic pressure. This mechanism contributes to the removal of larger molecules during
dialysis that may not be effectively removed by diffusion alone . Key teaching point: Convection =
solutes dragged across the membrane with fluid flow.
Q6: During dialysis, the movement of bicarbonate from the dialysate into the blood:
A. Helps normalize body pH
B. Causes metabolic acidosis
C. Removes excess bicarbonate
D. Has no effect on acid-base balance
Correct Answer: A
,3
Rationale: The movement of bicarbonate from the dialysate into the blood helps normalize body
pH. Acid concentrate replaces the excretory function of normal kidney function by removing
metabolic acidosis, normalizing electrolytes, and removing excess acids from the blood . Key
teaching point: Bicarbonate moves from dialysate to blood to correct metabolic acidosis.
Q7: The excretory functions of the kidneys include:
A. Renin and erythropoietin secretion
B. Removing excess water, urea, and metabolic wastes from the blood
C. Activation of vitamin D
D. Regulation of blood pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The excretory functions of the kidneys include removing excess water, urea, and
metabolic wastes from the blood. This is the primary function that hemodialysis replaces. Endocrine
functions include renin and erythropoietin secretion and activation of vitamin D . Key teaching
point: Excretory functions = removing waste and excess fluid.
Q8: Which of the following is an endocrine function of the kidneys?
A. Removal of metabolic wastes
B. Renin and erythropoietin secretion
C. Fluid balance regulation
D. Acid-base balance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The endocrine functions of the kidneys include renin and erythropoietin secretion and
activation of vitamin D. Renin regulates blood pressure; erythropoietin stimulates red blood cell
production; vitamin D activation is essential for bone health . Key teaching point: Endocrine
functions = renin, erythropoietin, vitamin D activation.
Q9: Dialysis replaces approximately what percentage of normal kidney function?
A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 15%
D. 25%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dialysis replaces only approximately 15% of normal kidney function. This is why patients
with ESRD often have ongoing complications despite regular dialysis treatments. The remaining 85%
of kidney functions (endocrine, metabolic, etc.) are not replaced by dialysis . Key teaching
point: Dialysis replaces only about 15% of normal kidney function.
, 4
Q10: Which acid-base imbalance is treated by hemodialysis?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acid concentrate replaces the excretory function of normal kidney function by
removing metabolic acidosis and normalizing electrolytes. Metabolic acidosis is a common
complication of kidney failure that requires correction during hemodialysis . Key teaching
point: Hemodialysis corrects metabolic acidosis.
Q11: The acid concentrate in hemodialysis replaces the excretory function of normal kidney function
by:
A. Removing metabolic acidosis only
B. Normalizing electrolytes only
C. Removing metabolic acidosis and normalizing electrolytes
D. Removing metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Acid concentrate replaces the excretory function of normal kidney function by removing
metabolic acidosis and normalizing electrolytes. This helps maintain proper acid-base balance and
electrolyte levels in the blood . Key teaching point: Acid concentrate removes metabolic acidosis
and normalizes electrolytes.
Q12: A patient with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) dialyzing in an outpatient facility requires:
A. A nursing assessment prior to treatment initiation
B. Only PCT assessment prior to treatment initiation
C. No assessment prior to treatment initiation
D. Only the patient's report of symptoms
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For patients with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), a nursing assessment prior to treatment
initiation is always required. This is because AKI patients are typically more unstable and require
closer monitoring. When dialyzing a patient with AKI, one task of the patient care teammates is to
monitor blood pressure and weight closely because hypovolemia and hypotensive episodes can
cause renal ischemia and further damage the kidneys . Key teaching point: AKI patients always
require nursing assessment before dialysis.
Q13: What is the waiting time after the administration of the initial heparin loading dose prior to
initiation of hemodialysis?
DAVITA PCT MIDTERM EXAM 2026/2027 | PATIENT
CARE TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION | EXPERT
VERIFIED | 100 QUESTIONS & COMPLETE
RATIONALES | PASS GUARANTEED - A+ GRADED
SECTION 1: HEMODIALYSIS PRINCIPLES & TRANSPORT MECHANISMS (Questions 1-15)
Q1: The four transport mechanisms that play a role in hemodialysis are:
A. Ultrafiltration, Convection, Diffusion, and Osmosis
B. Filtration, Absorption, Diffusion, and Osmosis
C. Ultrafiltration, Convection, Active Transport, and Osmosis
D. Diffusion, Osmosis, Filtration, and Secretion
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The four transport mechanisms that play a role in hemodialysis are ultrafiltration,
convection, diffusion, and osmosis. These mechanisms work together in hemodialysis: diffusion
removes waste by concentration gradient, osmosis balances water movement, convection drags
larger molecules with fluid across the membrane, and ultrafiltration controls fluid removal via
hydrostatic pressure . Key teaching point: The four mechanisms are Ultrafiltration, Convection,
Diffusion, and Osmosis.
Q2: The movement of solutes from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower
concentration is called:
A. Ultrafiltration
B. Diffusion
C. Osmosis
D. Convection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diffusion is the movement of solutes from an area of higher concentration to an area of
lower concentration. This is the primary mechanism by which hemodialysis removes metabolic
waste products such as urea and creatinine. The concentration gradient between the blood and
dialysate drives solute movement . Key teaching point: Diffusion = solutes move from HIGH to LOW
concentration.
Q3: The movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of lower solute
concentration to an area of higher solute concentration is called:
A. Ultrafiltration
B. Diffusion
,2
C. Osmosis
D. Convection
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Osmosis is the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane from an area of
lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration. This is one of the transport
mechanisms in hemodialysis that helps balance fluid and electrolyte levels . Key teaching
point: Osmosis = water moves across a membrane to balance solute concentrations.
Q4: Fluid is pushed through the semipermeable membrane. This describes which transport
mechanism?
A. Ultrafiltration
B. Convection
C. Diffusion
D. Osmosis
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Ultrafiltration is the process where fluid is pushed through the semipermeable
membrane by hydrostatic pressure. This mechanism is essential for removing excess fluid from the
patient during hemodialysis, preventing fluid overload, pulmonary edema, and hypertension . Key
teaching point: Ultrafiltration = fluid removal via hydrostatic pressure.
Q5: Solutes are dragged across a semipermeable membrane with fluid. This describes which
transport mechanism?
A. Ultrafiltration
B. Convection
C. Diffusion
D. Osmosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Convection involves the movement of solutes along with fluid across the membrane due
to hydrostatic pressure. This mechanism contributes to the removal of larger molecules during
dialysis that may not be effectively removed by diffusion alone . Key teaching point: Convection =
solutes dragged across the membrane with fluid flow.
Q6: During dialysis, the movement of bicarbonate from the dialysate into the blood:
A. Helps normalize body pH
B. Causes metabolic acidosis
C. Removes excess bicarbonate
D. Has no effect on acid-base balance
Correct Answer: A
,3
Rationale: The movement of bicarbonate from the dialysate into the blood helps normalize body
pH. Acid concentrate replaces the excretory function of normal kidney function by removing
metabolic acidosis, normalizing electrolytes, and removing excess acids from the blood . Key
teaching point: Bicarbonate moves from dialysate to blood to correct metabolic acidosis.
Q7: The excretory functions of the kidneys include:
A. Renin and erythropoietin secretion
B. Removing excess water, urea, and metabolic wastes from the blood
C. Activation of vitamin D
D. Regulation of blood pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The excretory functions of the kidneys include removing excess water, urea, and
metabolic wastes from the blood. This is the primary function that hemodialysis replaces. Endocrine
functions include renin and erythropoietin secretion and activation of vitamin D . Key teaching
point: Excretory functions = removing waste and excess fluid.
Q8: Which of the following is an endocrine function of the kidneys?
A. Removal of metabolic wastes
B. Renin and erythropoietin secretion
C. Fluid balance regulation
D. Acid-base balance
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The endocrine functions of the kidneys include renin and erythropoietin secretion and
activation of vitamin D. Renin regulates blood pressure; erythropoietin stimulates red blood cell
production; vitamin D activation is essential for bone health . Key teaching point: Endocrine
functions = renin, erythropoietin, vitamin D activation.
Q9: Dialysis replaces approximately what percentage of normal kidney function?
A. 5%
B. 10%
C. 15%
D. 25%
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dialysis replaces only approximately 15% of normal kidney function. This is why patients
with ESRD often have ongoing complications despite regular dialysis treatments. The remaining 85%
of kidney functions (endocrine, metabolic, etc.) are not replaced by dialysis . Key teaching
point: Dialysis replaces only about 15% of normal kidney function.
, 4
Q10: Which acid-base imbalance is treated by hemodialysis?
A. Respiratory acidosis
B. Metabolic acidosis
C. Respiratory alkalosis
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acid concentrate replaces the excretory function of normal kidney function by
removing metabolic acidosis and normalizing electrolytes. Metabolic acidosis is a common
complication of kidney failure that requires correction during hemodialysis . Key teaching
point: Hemodialysis corrects metabolic acidosis.
Q11: The acid concentrate in hemodialysis replaces the excretory function of normal kidney function
by:
A. Removing metabolic acidosis only
B. Normalizing electrolytes only
C. Removing metabolic acidosis and normalizing electrolytes
D. Removing metabolic alkalosis
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Acid concentrate replaces the excretory function of normal kidney function by removing
metabolic acidosis and normalizing electrolytes. This helps maintain proper acid-base balance and
electrolyte levels in the blood . Key teaching point: Acid concentrate removes metabolic acidosis
and normalizes electrolytes.
Q12: A patient with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) dialyzing in an outpatient facility requires:
A. A nursing assessment prior to treatment initiation
B. Only PCT assessment prior to treatment initiation
C. No assessment prior to treatment initiation
D. Only the patient's report of symptoms
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: For patients with Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), a nursing assessment prior to treatment
initiation is always required. This is because AKI patients are typically more unstable and require
closer monitoring. When dialyzing a patient with AKI, one task of the patient care teammates is to
monitor blood pressure and weight closely because hypovolemia and hypotensive episodes can
cause renal ischemia and further damage the kidneys . Key teaching point: AKI patients always
require nursing assessment before dialysis.
Q13: What is the waiting time after the administration of the initial heparin loading dose prior to
initiation of hemodialysis?
