DAVITA PCT FINAL EXAM – EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE | 2027 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A patient receiving maintenance hemodialysis asks why dialysis is necessary when
the kidneys normally function continuously. Which explanation is most accurate?
A. Dialysis permanently restores normal kidney function
B. Dialysis prevents all complications associated with kidney disease
C. Dialysis helps remove metabolic wastes and excess fluid that impaired kidneys cannot
adequately eliminate
D. Dialysis replaces the endocrine functions of the kidneys completely
Rationale: Dialysis performs selected functions of the kidneys, particularly removal of wastes
and excess fluid and assistance with electrolyte and acid-base balance. It does not permanently
restore kidney function or replace every renal function.
2. During hemodialysis, blood passes through the dialyzer while dialysate flows on
the opposite side of a semipermeable membrane. The primary purpose of this
arrangement is to facilitate:
A. Diffusion of selected solutes across the membrane
B. Direct mixing of blood and dialysate
C. Destruction of red blood cells
D. Absorption of plasma proteins into dialysate
Rationale: Diffusion allows solutes to move across the semipermeable membrane according to
concentration gradients. Blood and dialysate remain separated by the membrane.
3. A patient's pre-dialysis weight is significantly above the prescribed target weight.
What does this finding primarily suggest?
A. The patient has lost excessive protein
B. The patient has developed anemia
C. The patient has an increased red blood cell mass
D. The patient has accumulated fluid since the previous treatment
,Rationale: Weight gain between treatments is commonly used to estimate interdialytic fluid
accumulation. Accurate weights are important for assessing fluid status and dialysis treatment
goals.
4. Why is the patient's dry weight important when preparing for a hemodialysis
treatment?
A. It determines the patient's blood type
B. It represents the target weight used to help assess fluid removal needs
C. It determines the dialysate sodium concentration automatically
D. It replaces the need for pre-treatment vital signs
Rationale: Dry weight is the patient's estimated appropriate weight without excess fluid.
Comparing the current pre-treatment weight with the prescribed target helps the dialysis team
assess fluid removal needs.
5. A patient has an arteriovenous fistula in the left forearm. Which assessment
finding is expected when the access is functioning?
A. Severe pain and absent circulation
B. A completely silent access
C. A palpable thrill and audible bruit
D. Continuous bleeding from the access site
Rationale: A functioning AV fistula typically produces a palpable vibration called a thrill and an
audible vascular sound called a bruit. Their absence or significant change should be reported.
6. A patient reports that the usual vibration over the AV fistula cannot be felt. What
is the most appropriate response?
A. Tell the patient this is expected after every treatment
B. Apply firm pressure over the access
C. Ask the patient to exercise the arm immediately
D. Notify the appropriate clinical team member promptly
Rationale: Loss of a previously present thrill may indicate impaired blood flow or access
dysfunction. Prompt assessment is important because vascular access is essential for effective
hemodialysis.
7. Which action helps protect an arm containing an AV fistula?
A. Avoiding blood pressure measurements on that arm unless specifically directed
otherwise
B. Using the arm for routine blood draws
, C. Applying a tight band continuously over the access
D. Using the arm for repeated venipuncture
Rationale: The access arm should be protected from unnecessary compression, venipuncture,
and other procedures that may compromise vascular access.
8. A patient has a hemodialysis graft rather than a fistula. Which statement best
distinguishes the two?
A. A graft uses the patient's peritoneum
B. A graft does not provide vascular access
C. A graft uses a synthetic or biologic conduit to connect an artery and vein
D. A graft is placed only for temporary emergency dialysis
Rationale: An AV graft uses a conduit to connect an artery and vein, creating a site suitable for
dialysis access. A fistula directly connects the patient's artery and vein.
9. Which vascular access is generally considered a central venous access device?
A. AV fistula
B. AV graft
C. Buttonhole site
D. Tunneled dialysis catheter
Rationale: A tunneled dialysis catheter is inserted into a central vein and provides vascular
access for dialysis. Fistulas and grafts are surgically created arteriovenous accesses.
10. During access assessment, the skin around a patient's catheter exit site appears
red and the patient reports increasing tenderness. What should the PCT do?
A. Cover the redness with lotion
B. Report the finding promptly to the nurse or appropriate clinician
C. Ignore it unless the patient develops a fever
D. Remove the catheter dressing independently
Rationale: Redness, tenderness, drainage, or other changes around a catheter site may indicate
infection or another complication and require prompt clinical evaluation.
11. Which practice is most important for reducing transmission of infection in a
dialysis setting?
A. Wearing the same gloves between patients
B. Cleaning only visibly dirty surfaces
C. Performing appropriate hand hygiene before and after patient contact
D. Wearing a mask instead of performing hand hygiene
AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED
ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALE | 2027 Q&A |
INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A patient receiving maintenance hemodialysis asks why dialysis is necessary when
the kidneys normally function continuously. Which explanation is most accurate?
A. Dialysis permanently restores normal kidney function
B. Dialysis prevents all complications associated with kidney disease
C. Dialysis helps remove metabolic wastes and excess fluid that impaired kidneys cannot
adequately eliminate
D. Dialysis replaces the endocrine functions of the kidneys completely
Rationale: Dialysis performs selected functions of the kidneys, particularly removal of wastes
and excess fluid and assistance with electrolyte and acid-base balance. It does not permanently
restore kidney function or replace every renal function.
2. During hemodialysis, blood passes through the dialyzer while dialysate flows on
the opposite side of a semipermeable membrane. The primary purpose of this
arrangement is to facilitate:
A. Diffusion of selected solutes across the membrane
B. Direct mixing of blood and dialysate
C. Destruction of red blood cells
D. Absorption of plasma proteins into dialysate
Rationale: Diffusion allows solutes to move across the semipermeable membrane according to
concentration gradients. Blood and dialysate remain separated by the membrane.
3. A patient's pre-dialysis weight is significantly above the prescribed target weight.
What does this finding primarily suggest?
A. The patient has lost excessive protein
B. The patient has developed anemia
C. The patient has an increased red blood cell mass
D. The patient has accumulated fluid since the previous treatment
,Rationale: Weight gain between treatments is commonly used to estimate interdialytic fluid
accumulation. Accurate weights are important for assessing fluid status and dialysis treatment
goals.
4. Why is the patient's dry weight important when preparing for a hemodialysis
treatment?
A. It determines the patient's blood type
B. It represents the target weight used to help assess fluid removal needs
C. It determines the dialysate sodium concentration automatically
D. It replaces the need for pre-treatment vital signs
Rationale: Dry weight is the patient's estimated appropriate weight without excess fluid.
Comparing the current pre-treatment weight with the prescribed target helps the dialysis team
assess fluid removal needs.
5. A patient has an arteriovenous fistula in the left forearm. Which assessment
finding is expected when the access is functioning?
A. Severe pain and absent circulation
B. A completely silent access
C. A palpable thrill and audible bruit
D. Continuous bleeding from the access site
Rationale: A functioning AV fistula typically produces a palpable vibration called a thrill and an
audible vascular sound called a bruit. Their absence or significant change should be reported.
6. A patient reports that the usual vibration over the AV fistula cannot be felt. What
is the most appropriate response?
A. Tell the patient this is expected after every treatment
B. Apply firm pressure over the access
C. Ask the patient to exercise the arm immediately
D. Notify the appropriate clinical team member promptly
Rationale: Loss of a previously present thrill may indicate impaired blood flow or access
dysfunction. Prompt assessment is important because vascular access is essential for effective
hemodialysis.
7. Which action helps protect an arm containing an AV fistula?
A. Avoiding blood pressure measurements on that arm unless specifically directed
otherwise
B. Using the arm for routine blood draws
, C. Applying a tight band continuously over the access
D. Using the arm for repeated venipuncture
Rationale: The access arm should be protected from unnecessary compression, venipuncture,
and other procedures that may compromise vascular access.
8. A patient has a hemodialysis graft rather than a fistula. Which statement best
distinguishes the two?
A. A graft uses the patient's peritoneum
B. A graft does not provide vascular access
C. A graft uses a synthetic or biologic conduit to connect an artery and vein
D. A graft is placed only for temporary emergency dialysis
Rationale: An AV graft uses a conduit to connect an artery and vein, creating a site suitable for
dialysis access. A fistula directly connects the patient's artery and vein.
9. Which vascular access is generally considered a central venous access device?
A. AV fistula
B. AV graft
C. Buttonhole site
D. Tunneled dialysis catheter
Rationale: A tunneled dialysis catheter is inserted into a central vein and provides vascular
access for dialysis. Fistulas and grafts are surgically created arteriovenous accesses.
10. During access assessment, the skin around a patient's catheter exit site appears
red and the patient reports increasing tenderness. What should the PCT do?
A. Cover the redness with lotion
B. Report the finding promptly to the nurse or appropriate clinician
C. Ignore it unless the patient develops a fever
D. Remove the catheter dressing independently
Rationale: Redness, tenderness, drainage, or other changes around a catheter site may indicate
infection or another complication and require prompt clinical evaluation.
11. Which practice is most important for reducing transmission of infection in a
dialysis setting?
A. Wearing the same gloves between patients
B. Cleaning only visibly dirty surfaces
C. Performing appropriate hand hygiene before and after patient contact
D. Wearing a mask instead of performing hand hygiene
