DaVita RN Final Exam 2026/2027
Questions and Answers | Hemodialysis
Nursing Exam Review | Verified Practice
Questions with Rationales | A+ Study Guide
Guaranteed Pass (GRADED A+)
1. Which laboratory value is most important to assess before
initiating hemodialysis?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Albumin
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Potassium abnormalities can lead to life-threatening
cardiac dysrhythmias. Reviewing potassium levels before
dialysis helps determine the urgency and safety of treatment.
2. What is the most common cause of hypotension during
hemodialysis?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Excessive ultrafiltration
C. Elevated hemoglobin
D. Increased calcium level
Answer: B. Excessive ultrafiltration
,Rationale: Removing fluid too rapidly can decrease circulating
blood volume and result in intradialytic hypotension.
3. A patient becomes dizzy and diaphoretic during dialysis.
What should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the ultrafiltration rate
B. Stop dialysis permanently
C. Assess blood pressure and reduce fluid removal as ordered
D. Administer insulin
Answer: C. Assess blood pressure and reduce fluid removal as
ordered
Rationale: Symptoms suggest hypotension. Immediate
assessment and intervention are necessary to stabilize the
patient.
4. Which vascular access is associated with the lowest
infection risk?
A. Temporary central venous catheter
B. Tunneled catheter
C. Arteriovenous graft
D. Arteriovenous fistula
Answer: D. Arteriovenous fistula
Rationale: AV fistulas have the lowest infection and thrombosis
rates and are considered the preferred dialysis access.
5. The nurse assesses a newly created AV fistula. Which
finding indicates patency?
,A. Absence of bruit
B. Warm, red skin only
C. Presence of thrill and bruit
D. Severe pain at the site
Answer: C. Presence of thrill and bruit
Rationale: A palpable thrill and audible bruit indicate blood is
flowing through the fistula as expected.
6. Which action should be avoided on the arm with an AV
fistula?
A. Inspecting the site daily
B. Checking for a thrill
C. Measuring blood pressure
D. Teaching access care
Answer: C. Measuring blood pressure
Rationale: Blood pressure measurements can damage the fistula
and compromise blood flow.
7. A patient reports muscle cramps during dialysis. What is
the most likely cause?
A. Rapid fluid removal
B. Hyperthermia
C. Infection
D. Hyperalbuminemia
Answer: A. Rapid fluid removal
, Rationale: Excessive ultrafiltration can cause fluid shifts
leading to painful muscle cramps.
8. Which symptom is most characteristic of dialysis
disequilibrium syndrome?
A. Polyuria
B. Headache and confusion
C. Hypertension only
D. Increased appetite
Answer: B. Headache and confusion
Rationale: Rapid changes in blood solute concentrations may
cause cerebral edema, resulting in neurological symptoms.
9. What is the primary purpose of ultrafiltration during
hemodialysis?
A. Remove bacteria
B. Increase blood pressure
C. Remove excess fluid
D. Increase hemoglobin
Answer: C. Remove excess fluid
Rationale: Ultrafiltration removes excess water from the
bloodstream through pressure gradients.
10. Which assessment finding may indicate access infection?
A. Thrill present
B. Clear skin around access
Questions and Answers | Hemodialysis
Nursing Exam Review | Verified Practice
Questions with Rationales | A+ Study Guide
Guaranteed Pass (GRADED A+)
1. Which laboratory value is most important to assess before
initiating hemodialysis?
A. Hemoglobin
B. Potassium
C. Calcium
D. Albumin
Answer: B. Potassium
Rationale: Potassium abnormalities can lead to life-threatening
cardiac dysrhythmias. Reviewing potassium levels before
dialysis helps determine the urgency and safety of treatment.
2. What is the most common cause of hypotension during
hemodialysis?
A. Hyperglycemia
B. Excessive ultrafiltration
C. Elevated hemoglobin
D. Increased calcium level
Answer: B. Excessive ultrafiltration
,Rationale: Removing fluid too rapidly can decrease circulating
blood volume and result in intradialytic hypotension.
3. A patient becomes dizzy and diaphoretic during dialysis.
What should the nurse do first?
A. Increase the ultrafiltration rate
B. Stop dialysis permanently
C. Assess blood pressure and reduce fluid removal as ordered
D. Administer insulin
Answer: C. Assess blood pressure and reduce fluid removal as
ordered
Rationale: Symptoms suggest hypotension. Immediate
assessment and intervention are necessary to stabilize the
patient.
4. Which vascular access is associated with the lowest
infection risk?
A. Temporary central venous catheter
B. Tunneled catheter
C. Arteriovenous graft
D. Arteriovenous fistula
Answer: D. Arteriovenous fistula
Rationale: AV fistulas have the lowest infection and thrombosis
rates and are considered the preferred dialysis access.
5. The nurse assesses a newly created AV fistula. Which
finding indicates patency?
,A. Absence of bruit
B. Warm, red skin only
C. Presence of thrill and bruit
D. Severe pain at the site
Answer: C. Presence of thrill and bruit
Rationale: A palpable thrill and audible bruit indicate blood is
flowing through the fistula as expected.
6. Which action should be avoided on the arm with an AV
fistula?
A. Inspecting the site daily
B. Checking for a thrill
C. Measuring blood pressure
D. Teaching access care
Answer: C. Measuring blood pressure
Rationale: Blood pressure measurements can damage the fistula
and compromise blood flow.
7. A patient reports muscle cramps during dialysis. What is
the most likely cause?
A. Rapid fluid removal
B. Hyperthermia
C. Infection
D. Hyperalbuminemia
Answer: A. Rapid fluid removal
, Rationale: Excessive ultrafiltration can cause fluid shifts
leading to painful muscle cramps.
8. Which symptom is most characteristic of dialysis
disequilibrium syndrome?
A. Polyuria
B. Headache and confusion
C. Hypertension only
D. Increased appetite
Answer: B. Headache and confusion
Rationale: Rapid changes in blood solute concentrations may
cause cerebral edema, resulting in neurological symptoms.
9. What is the primary purpose of ultrafiltration during
hemodialysis?
A. Remove bacteria
B. Increase blood pressure
C. Remove excess fluid
D. Increase hemoglobin
Answer: C. Remove excess fluid
Rationale: Ultrafiltration removes excess water from the
bloodstream through pressure gradients.
10. Which assessment finding may indicate access infection?
A. Thrill present
B. Clear skin around access
