DAVITA PCT FINAL EXAM ACTUAL EXAM | COMPREHENSIVE
QUESTION BANK | ALL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (ALREADY GRADED A+) | LATEST VERSIONS
Question 1
A patient receiving hemodialysis complains of muscle cramps during the
latter part of treatment. What is the most appropriate initial
intervention for the PCT to implement?
A) Increase the ultrafiltration rate to remove more fluid.
B) Administer a hypertonic saline solution as prescribed.
C) Lower the dialysate temperature to 35°C.
D) Clamp the venous line and notify the nurse.
Correct Answer: C) Lower the dialysate temperature to 35°C.
Rationale: Cooling the dialysate has been shown to reduce muscle
cramps by causing vasoconstriction and improving hemodynamic
stability. Hypertonic saline may be used but is not the first-line non-
pharmacologic intervention. Increasing ultrafiltration worsens cramps
by removing more fluid, leading to hypotension. Clamping the venous
line is unrelated to cramps and could cause clotting .
Question 2
What is the recommended method for routine hand hygiene before
touching a patient if hands are not visibly soiled?
A) Wash with soap and water for 20 seconds.
B) Use an alcohol-based hand rub.
,C) No action is needed.
D) Wipe hands on a clean towel.
Correct Answer: B) Use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Rationale: The CDC recommends alcohol-based hand rub as the
preferred method for routine hand decontamination when hands are
not visibly soiled. Soap and water are used when hands are visibly dirty
or after contact with blood or body fluids .
Question 3
What is the most common infectious complication for hemodialysis
patients?
A) Pneumonia
B) Urinary tract infection
C) Central line infections
D) Skin infections
Correct Answer: C) Central line infections.
Rationale: Central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections
(CRBSI) are the most frequent infectious complication in hemodialysis
patients, largely due to the inherent risks of vascular access and the
immunocompromised state of patients with ESRD .
Question 4
How often should a CVC exit site dressing be changed?
A) Weekly
B) Monthly
,C) Every dialysis treatment
D) Only if visibly soiled
Correct Answer: C) Every dialysis treatment.
Rationale: The CVC exit site dressing must be changed with each dialysis
treatment using strict aseptic technique to minimize the risk of
catheter-related infection .
Question 5
What is the primary clinical consequence of "sodium loading" during a
dialysis treatment?
A) Improved blood pressure stability and decreased cramping.
B) Increased thirst, larger interdialytic weight gains, and post-dialysis
hypertension.
C) Decreased appetite and significant weight loss between treatments.
D) Improved clearance of urea and creatinine.
Correct Answer: B) Increased thirst, larger interdialytic weight gains,
and post-dialysis hypertension.
Rationale: When excess sodium is left in the patient (either through
high dialysate sodium or saline boluses), it pulls fluid from the cells into
the vascular space, triggering intense thirst. This leads to higher fluid
intake and dangerous fluid overload, which stresses the cardiovascular
system.
Question 6
If a patient experiences a severe anaphylactic reaction during dialysis,
what is the most critical intervention?
, A) Increase the BFR to dilute the allergen.
B) Stop the blood pump, discontinue the treatment, and do not return
the blood.
C) Return the blood immediately to ensure the patient doesn't lose iron.
D) Administer a saline bolus and continue the treatment at a slower
rate.
Correct Answer: B) Stop the blood pump, discontinue the treatment,
and do not return the blood.
Rationale: Returning the blood in an anaphylactic reaction would re-
introduce the allergen (which is often the dialyzer or a sterilant) into the
patient's system, potentially causing fatal shock. The circuit must be
discarded.
Question 7
What is the standard procedure for evaluating a patient's stability for
discharge following dialysis?
A) Asking the patient if they feel "okay."
B) Checking if the machine finished the programmed time.
C) Evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment by comparing post-
dialysis data to pre-dialysis findings.
D) Ensuring the patient has a ride home.
Correct Answer: C) Evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment by
comparing post-dialysis data to pre-dialysis findings.
Rationale: Technicians must review the final vitals, fluid removed, and
the status of the vascular access compared to the baseline. If a patient
is significantly more hypotensive than when they started, they may not
be safe to leave.
QUESTION BANK | ALL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (ALREADY GRADED A+) | LATEST VERSIONS
Question 1
A patient receiving hemodialysis complains of muscle cramps during the
latter part of treatment. What is the most appropriate initial
intervention for the PCT to implement?
A) Increase the ultrafiltration rate to remove more fluid.
B) Administer a hypertonic saline solution as prescribed.
C) Lower the dialysate temperature to 35°C.
D) Clamp the venous line and notify the nurse.
Correct Answer: C) Lower the dialysate temperature to 35°C.
Rationale: Cooling the dialysate has been shown to reduce muscle
cramps by causing vasoconstriction and improving hemodynamic
stability. Hypertonic saline may be used but is not the first-line non-
pharmacologic intervention. Increasing ultrafiltration worsens cramps
by removing more fluid, leading to hypotension. Clamping the venous
line is unrelated to cramps and could cause clotting .
Question 2
What is the recommended method for routine hand hygiene before
touching a patient if hands are not visibly soiled?
A) Wash with soap and water for 20 seconds.
B) Use an alcohol-based hand rub.
,C) No action is needed.
D) Wipe hands on a clean towel.
Correct Answer: B) Use an alcohol-based hand rub.
Rationale: The CDC recommends alcohol-based hand rub as the
preferred method for routine hand decontamination when hands are
not visibly soiled. Soap and water are used when hands are visibly dirty
or after contact with blood or body fluids .
Question 3
What is the most common infectious complication for hemodialysis
patients?
A) Pneumonia
B) Urinary tract infection
C) Central line infections
D) Skin infections
Correct Answer: C) Central line infections.
Rationale: Central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections
(CRBSI) are the most frequent infectious complication in hemodialysis
patients, largely due to the inherent risks of vascular access and the
immunocompromised state of patients with ESRD .
Question 4
How often should a CVC exit site dressing be changed?
A) Weekly
B) Monthly
,C) Every dialysis treatment
D) Only if visibly soiled
Correct Answer: C) Every dialysis treatment.
Rationale: The CVC exit site dressing must be changed with each dialysis
treatment using strict aseptic technique to minimize the risk of
catheter-related infection .
Question 5
What is the primary clinical consequence of "sodium loading" during a
dialysis treatment?
A) Improved blood pressure stability and decreased cramping.
B) Increased thirst, larger interdialytic weight gains, and post-dialysis
hypertension.
C) Decreased appetite and significant weight loss between treatments.
D) Improved clearance of urea and creatinine.
Correct Answer: B) Increased thirst, larger interdialytic weight gains,
and post-dialysis hypertension.
Rationale: When excess sodium is left in the patient (either through
high dialysate sodium or saline boluses), it pulls fluid from the cells into
the vascular space, triggering intense thirst. This leads to higher fluid
intake and dangerous fluid overload, which stresses the cardiovascular
system.
Question 6
If a patient experiences a severe anaphylactic reaction during dialysis,
what is the most critical intervention?
, A) Increase the BFR to dilute the allergen.
B) Stop the blood pump, discontinue the treatment, and do not return
the blood.
C) Return the blood immediately to ensure the patient doesn't lose iron.
D) Administer a saline bolus and continue the treatment at a slower
rate.
Correct Answer: B) Stop the blood pump, discontinue the treatment,
and do not return the blood.
Rationale: Returning the blood in an anaphylactic reaction would re-
introduce the allergen (which is often the dialyzer or a sterilant) into the
patient's system, potentially causing fatal shock. The circuit must be
discarded.
Question 7
What is the standard procedure for evaluating a patient's stability for
discharge following dialysis?
A) Asking the patient if they feel "okay."
B) Checking if the machine finished the programmed time.
C) Evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment by comparing post-
dialysis data to pre-dialysis findings.
D) Ensuring the patient has a ride home.
Correct Answer: C) Evaluating the effectiveness of the treatment by
comparing post-dialysis data to pre-dialysis findings.
Rationale: Technicians must review the final vitals, fluid removed, and
the status of the vascular access compared to the baseline. If a patient
is significantly more hypotensive than when they started, they may not
be safe to leave.
