Page 1 of 152
DAVITA PCT EXAM NEWEST 2026/2027: THE
255 VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS |
PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN (PCT) FINAL
100% CORRECT SOLUTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES | GRADED A+ | UPDATED PER
# TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Topic | Questions |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| **Section 1** | Kidney Anatomy, Physiology, and ESRD Fundamentals | Q1-Q25 |
| **Section 2** | Hemodialysis Principles and Transport Mechanisms | Q26-Q50 |
| **Section 3** | Water Treatment Systems and Quality Standards | Q51-Q70 |
| **Section 4** | Vascular Access Care and Cannulation | Q71-Q95 |
| **Section 5** | Infection Prevention and Control | Q96-Q120 |
| **Section 6** | Intradialytic Complications and Emergency Response | Q121-Q150 |
| **Section 7** | Dialyzer Setup, Priming, and Machine Operations | Q151-Q175 |
| **Section 8** | Patient Assessment, Vital Signs, and Monitoring | Q176-Q200 |
| **Section 9** | Medication Management and Nutrition | Q201-Q220 |
| **Section 10** | Documentation, Safety, and Legal Standards | Q221-Q240 |
| **Section 11** | Integrated Clinical Scenarios and Critical Reasoning | Q241-Q255 |
,Page 2 of 152
# SECTION 1: KIDNEY ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, AND ESRD FUNDAMENTALS (Q1-Q25)
**Q1.** A PCT is explaining kidney function to a newly diagnosed ESRD patient. The patient
asks which structure is considered the basic structural and functional unit of the kidney. Which
response by the PCT is correct?
A. The renal cortex
B. The nephron
C. The renal pelvis
D. The glomerular capsule only
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The nephron is the basic structural and functional unit of the kidney, with
approximately one million nephrons per kidney. Each nephron consists of a glomerulus,
Bowman's capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and
collecting duct. The renal cortex (A) is the outer portion of the kidney containing nephrons but is
not the functional unit itself. The renal pelvis (C) is a collecting structure for urine. The
glomerular capsule (D) is only one component of the nephron, not the entire functional unit.
---
**Q2.** A patient with chronic kidney disease asks the PCT why their body is retaining fluid.
The PCT explains that the kidneys normally help regulate fluid balance through which primary
mechanism?
A. Excretion of excess sodium and water
B. Production of antidiuretic hormone
C. Direct absorption of water from the bloodstream
D. Filtration of proteins from the blood
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**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** The kidneys regulate fluid balance primarily by excreting excess sodium and
water through urine formation. They filter approximately 180 liters of plasma daily and reabsorb
most of it, excreting the remainder as urine. ADH (B) is produced by the hypothalamus and
released by the pituitary gland, not the kidneys. The kidneys do not directly absorb water from
the bloodstream (C); they filter blood and regulate reabsorption. Proteins are typically too large
to pass through the glomerular filtration barrier (D).
---
**Q3.** The PCT is caring for a patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Which laboratory
finding would the PCT expect to see in this patient?
A. Elevated hemoglobin
B. Decreased serum creatinine
C. Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D. Decreased serum potassium
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** In ESRD, the kidneys lose their ability to excrete waste products, leading to
elevated BUN and serum creatinine. Hemoglobin (A) is typically decreased (anemia) due to
reduced erythropoietin production. Serum creatinine (B) is increased, not decreased. Serum
potassium (D) is typically elevated (hyperkalemia) due to decreased renal excretion.
---
, Page 4 of 152
**Q4.** The kidneys perform several endocrine functions. Which of the following hormones is
produced by the kidneys?
A. Insulin
B. Erythropoietin
C. Thyroid hormone
D. Cortisol
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The kidneys produce erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates red blood cell
production in the bone marrow. Insulin (A) is produced by the pancreas. Thyroid hormone (C) is
produced by the thyroid gland. Cortisol (D) is produced by the adrenal cortex.
---
**Q5.** A PCT is reviewing lab results and notes that a patient's estimated glomerular filtration
rate (eGFR) is 12 mL/min/1.73m². This finding is consistent with which stage of kidney disease?
A. Stage 1 CKD
B. Stage 3 CKD
C. Stage 4 CKD
D. Stage 5 CKD (ESRD)
**Correct Answer: D**
DAVITA PCT EXAM NEWEST 2026/2027: THE
255 VERIFIED QUESTIONS & ANSWERS |
PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN (PCT) FINAL
100% CORRECT SOLUTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES | GRADED A+ | UPDATED PER
# TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Section | Topic | Questions |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| **Section 1** | Kidney Anatomy, Physiology, and ESRD Fundamentals | Q1-Q25 |
| **Section 2** | Hemodialysis Principles and Transport Mechanisms | Q26-Q50 |
| **Section 3** | Water Treatment Systems and Quality Standards | Q51-Q70 |
| **Section 4** | Vascular Access Care and Cannulation | Q71-Q95 |
| **Section 5** | Infection Prevention and Control | Q96-Q120 |
| **Section 6** | Intradialytic Complications and Emergency Response | Q121-Q150 |
| **Section 7** | Dialyzer Setup, Priming, and Machine Operations | Q151-Q175 |
| **Section 8** | Patient Assessment, Vital Signs, and Monitoring | Q176-Q200 |
| **Section 9** | Medication Management and Nutrition | Q201-Q220 |
| **Section 10** | Documentation, Safety, and Legal Standards | Q221-Q240 |
| **Section 11** | Integrated Clinical Scenarios and Critical Reasoning | Q241-Q255 |
,Page 2 of 152
# SECTION 1: KIDNEY ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY, AND ESRD FUNDAMENTALS (Q1-Q25)
**Q1.** A PCT is explaining kidney function to a newly diagnosed ESRD patient. The patient
asks which structure is considered the basic structural and functional unit of the kidney. Which
response by the PCT is correct?
A. The renal cortex
B. The nephron
C. The renal pelvis
D. The glomerular capsule only
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The nephron is the basic structural and functional unit of the kidney, with
approximately one million nephrons per kidney. Each nephron consists of a glomerulus,
Bowman's capsule, proximal convoluted tubule, loop of Henle, distal convoluted tubule, and
collecting duct. The renal cortex (A) is the outer portion of the kidney containing nephrons but is
not the functional unit itself. The renal pelvis (C) is a collecting structure for urine. The
glomerular capsule (D) is only one component of the nephron, not the entire functional unit.
---
**Q2.** A patient with chronic kidney disease asks the PCT why their body is retaining fluid.
The PCT explains that the kidneys normally help regulate fluid balance through which primary
mechanism?
A. Excretion of excess sodium and water
B. Production of antidiuretic hormone
C. Direct absorption of water from the bloodstream
D. Filtration of proteins from the blood
,Page 3 of 152
**Correct Answer: A**
**Rationale:** The kidneys regulate fluid balance primarily by excreting excess sodium and
water through urine formation. They filter approximately 180 liters of plasma daily and reabsorb
most of it, excreting the remainder as urine. ADH (B) is produced by the hypothalamus and
released by the pituitary gland, not the kidneys. The kidneys do not directly absorb water from
the bloodstream (C); they filter blood and regulate reabsorption. Proteins are typically too large
to pass through the glomerular filtration barrier (D).
---
**Q3.** The PCT is caring for a patient with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Which laboratory
finding would the PCT expect to see in this patient?
A. Elevated hemoglobin
B. Decreased serum creatinine
C. Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
D. Decreased serum potassium
**Correct Answer: C**
**Rationale:** In ESRD, the kidneys lose their ability to excrete waste products, leading to
elevated BUN and serum creatinine. Hemoglobin (A) is typically decreased (anemia) due to
reduced erythropoietin production. Serum creatinine (B) is increased, not decreased. Serum
potassium (D) is typically elevated (hyperkalemia) due to decreased renal excretion.
---
, Page 4 of 152
**Q4.** The kidneys perform several endocrine functions. Which of the following hormones is
produced by the kidneys?
A. Insulin
B. Erythropoietin
C. Thyroid hormone
D. Cortisol
**Correct Answer: B**
**Rationale:** The kidneys produce erythropoietin (EPO), which stimulates red blood cell
production in the bone marrow. Insulin (A) is produced by the pancreas. Thyroid hormone (C) is
produced by the thyroid gland. Cortisol (D) is produced by the adrenal cortex.
---
**Q5.** A PCT is reviewing lab results and notes that a patient's estimated glomerular filtration
rate (eGFR) is 12 mL/min/1.73m². This finding is consistent with which stage of kidney disease?
A. Stage 1 CKD
B. Stage 3 CKD
C. Stage 4 CKD
D. Stage 5 CKD (ESRD)
**Correct Answer: D**
