1000 Flashcards Hemodialysis Technician Certification Exam
The process of removing solutes across a semipermeable membrane by concentration gradient
is called ________.
Diffusion.
Why is blood pressure monitored frequently during dialysis?
Frequent monitoring helps detect hypotension, hypertension, fluid imbalance, cardiac instability,
and adverse reactions early during treatment.
A patient complains of dizziness and cramping near the end of dialysis. What is the MOST
likely cause?
Excessive fluid removal causing intradialytic hypotension and reduced circulating blood
volume.
What electrolyte is most closely monitored before dialysis due to risk of cardiac arrhythmias?
Potassium. Elevated potassium (hyperkalemia) can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
A technician may independently prescribe changes to ultrafiltration goals.
False. Technicians may not prescribe treatment changes independently; adjustments require
physician or licensed nurse authorization because improper fluid removal can endanger the
patient.
What does "interdialytic weight gain" refer to?
The amount of weight a patient gains between dialysis treatments, primarily due to fluid
accumulation.
Why are lung sounds assessed before dialysis?
Crackles or diminished sounds may indicate fluid overload, pulmonary edema, or respiratory
compromise requiring careful fluid removal planning.
A patient's pre-dialysis BP is 190/102 mmHg. What should the technician do first?
Verify the reading, assess symptoms, notify the nurse, and continue monitoring because
severe hypertension may require medical evaluation before or during treatment.
Excess potassium in the blood is called ________.
Hyperkalemia.
What symptom strongly suggests fluid overload in a dialysis patient?
Shortness of breath, edema, hypertension, jugular vein distention, and crackles in the lungs are
classic signs of fluid overload.
Page 1
,1000 Flashcards Hemodialysis Technician Certification Exam
What is the normal function of the kidneys regarding fluid balance?
Kidneys regulate water, electrolytes, acid-base balance, and waste removal by filtering blood
and producing urine.
Why should a technician compare pre- and post-dialysis weights carefully?
Weight comparison confirms whether the prescribed fluid removal goal was achieved safely
and accurately.
A patient becomes nauseated and hypotensive during dialysis. What intervention is commonly
expected?
Lower ultrafiltration rate, place patient in Trendelenburg position if ordered, administer saline
per protocol, and notify the nurse.
Define hypotension in dialysis care.
Hypotension is abnormally low blood pressure, commonly occurring during dialysis due to rapid
fluid removal or decreased vascular refill.
What laboratory value indicates adequacy of long-term glucose control in diabetic dialysis
patients?
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).
Why is edema important during patient assessment?
Edema reflects excess extracellular fluid accumulation and may indicate inadequate fluid
management or cardiac compromise.
The access used most commonly for long-term hemodialysis is the arteriovenous ________.
Fistula.
What is the significance of assessing mental status before treatment?
Altered mental status may indicate uremia, electrolyte imbalance, hypotension, stroke,
hypoglycemia, or infection requiring immediate evaluation.
A patient arrives 6 kg above dry weight. Why is aggressive fluid removal risky?
Rapid ultrafiltration increases risk of hypotension, cramping, shock, cardiac stress, and
disequilibrium syndrome.
Define uremia.
Uremia is the buildup of waste products in the blood due to kidney failure, causing symptoms
like fatigue, nausea, confusion, and itching.
Page 2
,1000 Flashcards Hemodialysis Technician Certification Exam
What does BUN stand for?
Blood Urea Nitrogen.
Why are dialysis patients at risk for anemia?
Diseased kidneys produce insufficient erythropoietin, leading to reduced red blood cell
production.
Muscle cramps during dialysis usually indicate too little fluid removal.
False. Muscle cramps more commonly result from excessive or rapid fluid removal leading to
decreased tissue perfusion.
What patient information should always be verified before treatment initiation?
Patient identity, physician orders, treatment prescription, allergies, weight, access type, and
vital signs.
What is the purpose of sodium profiling during dialysis?
Sodium profiling may help reduce hypotension and cramping by varying dialysate sodium
concentration during treatment.
A sudden drop in blood pressure during dialysis is called intradialytic ________.
Hypotension.
What complication can occur if too much fluid is removed too quickly?
Hypovolemic shock, severe hypotension, loss of consciousness, and cardiac complications
may occur.
Why is potassium restriction important for dialysis patients?
Diseased kidneys cannot adequately excrete potassium, increasing risk of fatal cardiac
arrhythmias.
A patient reports chest pain during dialysis. What is the technician's priority action?
Stop ultrafiltration if instructed, notify nurse immediately, assess vital signs, and prepare for
emergency intervention.
What is the target of fluid management in hemodialysis?
To safely achieve dry weight while maintaining hemodynamic stability and preventing
complications.
Page 3
, 1000 Flashcards Hemodialysis Technician Certification Exam
Define hypervolemia.
Hypervolemia is excess fluid volume in the bloodstream and tissues, often causing edema and
hypertension.
Why are dialysis patients weighed on the same scale each treatment?
Consistent scales improve accuracy of fluid balance calculations and treatment planning.
Elevated phosphorus levels are known as ________.
Hyperphosphatemia.
A patient complains of severe headache and nausea during treatment after missing several
sessions. What complication should be suspected?
Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome caused by rapid osmotic shifts during dialysis.
What does creatinine indicate in dialysis patients?
Creatinine reflects muscle metabolism waste and kidney function; elevated levels indicate
impaired filtration.
Why is skin assessment important in dialysis patients?
Skin changes may reveal edema, dehydration, infection, bruising, poor perfusion, or access
complications.
Dialysis completely replaces all kidney functions.
False. Dialysis removes wastes and fluid but does not fully replace endocrine and metabolic
kidney functions.
What symptom may indicate hyperkalemia before dialysis?
Muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, paresthesia, or ECG changes such as peaked T
waves.
What is the significance of pre-dialysis temperature assessment?
Fever may indicate infection, including vascular access infection or systemic illness.
Excess fluid in the lungs due to overload is called pulmonary ________.
Edema.
What should be done if a patient's post-dialysis BP remains extremely low?
Continue monitoring, notify the nurse, reassess symptoms, and follow emergency protocols if
instability persists.
Page 4
The process of removing solutes across a semipermeable membrane by concentration gradient
is called ________.
Diffusion.
Why is blood pressure monitored frequently during dialysis?
Frequent monitoring helps detect hypotension, hypertension, fluid imbalance, cardiac instability,
and adverse reactions early during treatment.
A patient complains of dizziness and cramping near the end of dialysis. What is the MOST
likely cause?
Excessive fluid removal causing intradialytic hypotension and reduced circulating blood
volume.
What electrolyte is most closely monitored before dialysis due to risk of cardiac arrhythmias?
Potassium. Elevated potassium (hyperkalemia) can cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
A technician may independently prescribe changes to ultrafiltration goals.
False. Technicians may not prescribe treatment changes independently; adjustments require
physician or licensed nurse authorization because improper fluid removal can endanger the
patient.
What does "interdialytic weight gain" refer to?
The amount of weight a patient gains between dialysis treatments, primarily due to fluid
accumulation.
Why are lung sounds assessed before dialysis?
Crackles or diminished sounds may indicate fluid overload, pulmonary edema, or respiratory
compromise requiring careful fluid removal planning.
A patient's pre-dialysis BP is 190/102 mmHg. What should the technician do first?
Verify the reading, assess symptoms, notify the nurse, and continue monitoring because
severe hypertension may require medical evaluation before or during treatment.
Excess potassium in the blood is called ________.
Hyperkalemia.
What symptom strongly suggests fluid overload in a dialysis patient?
Shortness of breath, edema, hypertension, jugular vein distention, and crackles in the lungs are
classic signs of fluid overload.
Page 1
,1000 Flashcards Hemodialysis Technician Certification Exam
What is the normal function of the kidneys regarding fluid balance?
Kidneys regulate water, electrolytes, acid-base balance, and waste removal by filtering blood
and producing urine.
Why should a technician compare pre- and post-dialysis weights carefully?
Weight comparison confirms whether the prescribed fluid removal goal was achieved safely
and accurately.
A patient becomes nauseated and hypotensive during dialysis. What intervention is commonly
expected?
Lower ultrafiltration rate, place patient in Trendelenburg position if ordered, administer saline
per protocol, and notify the nurse.
Define hypotension in dialysis care.
Hypotension is abnormally low blood pressure, commonly occurring during dialysis due to rapid
fluid removal or decreased vascular refill.
What laboratory value indicates adequacy of long-term glucose control in diabetic dialysis
patients?
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).
Why is edema important during patient assessment?
Edema reflects excess extracellular fluid accumulation and may indicate inadequate fluid
management or cardiac compromise.
The access used most commonly for long-term hemodialysis is the arteriovenous ________.
Fistula.
What is the significance of assessing mental status before treatment?
Altered mental status may indicate uremia, electrolyte imbalance, hypotension, stroke,
hypoglycemia, or infection requiring immediate evaluation.
A patient arrives 6 kg above dry weight. Why is aggressive fluid removal risky?
Rapid ultrafiltration increases risk of hypotension, cramping, shock, cardiac stress, and
disequilibrium syndrome.
Define uremia.
Uremia is the buildup of waste products in the blood due to kidney failure, causing symptoms
like fatigue, nausea, confusion, and itching.
Page 2
,1000 Flashcards Hemodialysis Technician Certification Exam
What does BUN stand for?
Blood Urea Nitrogen.
Why are dialysis patients at risk for anemia?
Diseased kidneys produce insufficient erythropoietin, leading to reduced red blood cell
production.
Muscle cramps during dialysis usually indicate too little fluid removal.
False. Muscle cramps more commonly result from excessive or rapid fluid removal leading to
decreased tissue perfusion.
What patient information should always be verified before treatment initiation?
Patient identity, physician orders, treatment prescription, allergies, weight, access type, and
vital signs.
What is the purpose of sodium profiling during dialysis?
Sodium profiling may help reduce hypotension and cramping by varying dialysate sodium
concentration during treatment.
A sudden drop in blood pressure during dialysis is called intradialytic ________.
Hypotension.
What complication can occur if too much fluid is removed too quickly?
Hypovolemic shock, severe hypotension, loss of consciousness, and cardiac complications
may occur.
Why is potassium restriction important for dialysis patients?
Diseased kidneys cannot adequately excrete potassium, increasing risk of fatal cardiac
arrhythmias.
A patient reports chest pain during dialysis. What is the technician's priority action?
Stop ultrafiltration if instructed, notify nurse immediately, assess vital signs, and prepare for
emergency intervention.
What is the target of fluid management in hemodialysis?
To safely achieve dry weight while maintaining hemodynamic stability and preventing
complications.
Page 3
, 1000 Flashcards Hemodialysis Technician Certification Exam
Define hypervolemia.
Hypervolemia is excess fluid volume in the bloodstream and tissues, often causing edema and
hypertension.
Why are dialysis patients weighed on the same scale each treatment?
Consistent scales improve accuracy of fluid balance calculations and treatment planning.
Elevated phosphorus levels are known as ________.
Hyperphosphatemia.
A patient complains of severe headache and nausea during treatment after missing several
sessions. What complication should be suspected?
Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome caused by rapid osmotic shifts during dialysis.
What does creatinine indicate in dialysis patients?
Creatinine reflects muscle metabolism waste and kidney function; elevated levels indicate
impaired filtration.
Why is skin assessment important in dialysis patients?
Skin changes may reveal edema, dehydration, infection, bruising, poor perfusion, or access
complications.
Dialysis completely replaces all kidney functions.
False. Dialysis removes wastes and fluid but does not fully replace endocrine and metabolic
kidney functions.
What symptom may indicate hyperkalemia before dialysis?
Muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, paresthesia, or ECG changes such as peaked T
waves.
What is the significance of pre-dialysis temperature assessment?
Fever may indicate infection, including vascular access infection or systemic illness.
Excess fluid in the lungs due to overload is called pulmonary ________.
Edema.
What should be done if a patient's post-dialysis BP remains extremely low?
Continue monitoring, notify the nurse, reassess symptoms, and follow emergency protocols if
instability persists.
Page 4
