DaVita Competency Exam Questions &
Correct Answers|| Verified
Attempting to remove a large amount of fluid weight gain from the patient: - ANSWER
Can lead to hypovolemia during the treatment which is associated with an increased
mortality rate
When sodium loading occurs during the dialysis treatment: - ANSWER It leads to an
increase in thirst and larger fluid weight gains with hypertension between treatments
and can contribute to headaches after the treatment
How long before initiating the hemodialysis treatment should the initial loading dose of
heparin be administered through the venous needle or venous port of the central
venous catheter (CVC) to anticoagulate the patient? - ANSWER A minimum of 3-5
minutes prior to treatment initiation
Over-the-counter medications: - ANSWER Do not require a physician order but should
be approved by the nephrologist
Per DaVita policy, prior to each medication preparation, the medication preparation
surface area: - ANSWER Is to be disinfected with a 1:100 bleach solution or approved
disinfectant
What is NOT an acceptable assignment for a PCT working in a facility that cares for
patients with Hepatitis B infection (HBV+)? - ANSWER Caring for HBV+ and susceptible
patients at the same time.
What is the policy regarding fingernails? - ANSWER Fingernail length should not extend
more than 1/4 inch and traditional nail polish that is not chipped may be worn
Cleaning blood pressure cuffs between patients: - ANSWER Removes microorganisms
such as MRSA or VRE that may be colonized in a patient's axillary area
Cleaning and disinfecting priming buckets after each treatment: - ANSWER Is required
to decrease gram-negative bacterial growth which may occur in solutions such as water
The foot rest of a patient chair is torn and the inner foam is exposed. Can it still be used
for patient treatments? - ANSWER No, because the torn surface no longer allows for
effective cleaning and provides a potential for microbial growth
Attention to infection control, proper hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection procedures
are of utmost importance in the dialysis setting. Which of the following statement is
true?
A) MRSA bacteria can survive on surfaces, especially plastic and vinyl, for days
, B) Only items taken to a clean dialysis station prior to initiation of a patient treatment
can be returned to a common clean area without being disinfected
C) If a hemodialysis patient performs self-care at the facility, common supply carts used
to store clean supplies may be placed within the patient's reach
What is a classic sign of hemolysis? - ANSWER Cranberry juice colored blood in the
venous line
Your patient complains of pain at the venous needle site, tingling around the lips and
difficulty breathing. These are signs and symptoms of what? - ANSWER An disinfectant
infusion
What should your immediate intervention for a patient experiencing an anaphylactic
reaction be? - ANSWER Stop the blood pump. discontinue the treatment, do not return
the blood
In what position should a patient with a suspected air embolus be placed? - ANSWER
Trendelenburg on left side.
DaVita policy states to place a hypotensive patient into a flat supine position instead of
Trendelenburg because: - ANSWER The Trendelenburg position can cause potential
side effects and is no longer recommended for the treatment of hypotension.
Your facility experiences a power outage and you are required to manually rinse back
your patients. What must you do prior to using the hand crank? - ANSWER The venous
line clamp below the venous drip chamber closes. Note: remember to open the NS line
clamp prior to rinseback.
DaVita policy states that the pre-pump arterial pressure must not exceed negative 260
mmHg. What are possible consequences of excessively negative pre pump arterial
pressures? - ANSWER Hemolysis, access damage, and decreased quantity of
delivered blood.
What needle size should be used for a new AV-fistula with a BFR (pump speed)
prescription of 250-350 mL/min? - ANSWER 16 gauge
If bicarbonate is mixed for too long, CO2 is released from the solution as a result of
over-mixing. How would this change the final dialysis? - ANSWER The pH reading
would be too high.
You are monitoring your secondary carbon tank every 30 minutes and the last test
result is 0.2 ppm. What is your next action? - ANSWER Stop dialysis treatments and
notify the FA, biomed technician, and Medical Director.
What is the FIRST response when a water sample exceeds the allowable limit for
chlorine/chloramine testing? - ANSWER Repeat the test on a new water sample taken
after the primary carbon tank.
Correct Answers|| Verified
Attempting to remove a large amount of fluid weight gain from the patient: - ANSWER
Can lead to hypovolemia during the treatment which is associated with an increased
mortality rate
When sodium loading occurs during the dialysis treatment: - ANSWER It leads to an
increase in thirst and larger fluid weight gains with hypertension between treatments
and can contribute to headaches after the treatment
How long before initiating the hemodialysis treatment should the initial loading dose of
heparin be administered through the venous needle or venous port of the central
venous catheter (CVC) to anticoagulate the patient? - ANSWER A minimum of 3-5
minutes prior to treatment initiation
Over-the-counter medications: - ANSWER Do not require a physician order but should
be approved by the nephrologist
Per DaVita policy, prior to each medication preparation, the medication preparation
surface area: - ANSWER Is to be disinfected with a 1:100 bleach solution or approved
disinfectant
What is NOT an acceptable assignment for a PCT working in a facility that cares for
patients with Hepatitis B infection (HBV+)? - ANSWER Caring for HBV+ and susceptible
patients at the same time.
What is the policy regarding fingernails? - ANSWER Fingernail length should not extend
more than 1/4 inch and traditional nail polish that is not chipped may be worn
Cleaning blood pressure cuffs between patients: - ANSWER Removes microorganisms
such as MRSA or VRE that may be colonized in a patient's axillary area
Cleaning and disinfecting priming buckets after each treatment: - ANSWER Is required
to decrease gram-negative bacterial growth which may occur in solutions such as water
The foot rest of a patient chair is torn and the inner foam is exposed. Can it still be used
for patient treatments? - ANSWER No, because the torn surface no longer allows for
effective cleaning and provides a potential for microbial growth
Attention to infection control, proper hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection procedures
are of utmost importance in the dialysis setting. Which of the following statement is
true?
A) MRSA bacteria can survive on surfaces, especially plastic and vinyl, for days
, B) Only items taken to a clean dialysis station prior to initiation of a patient treatment
can be returned to a common clean area without being disinfected
C) If a hemodialysis patient performs self-care at the facility, common supply carts used
to store clean supplies may be placed within the patient's reach
What is a classic sign of hemolysis? - ANSWER Cranberry juice colored blood in the
venous line
Your patient complains of pain at the venous needle site, tingling around the lips and
difficulty breathing. These are signs and symptoms of what? - ANSWER An disinfectant
infusion
What should your immediate intervention for a patient experiencing an anaphylactic
reaction be? - ANSWER Stop the blood pump. discontinue the treatment, do not return
the blood
In what position should a patient with a suspected air embolus be placed? - ANSWER
Trendelenburg on left side.
DaVita policy states to place a hypotensive patient into a flat supine position instead of
Trendelenburg because: - ANSWER The Trendelenburg position can cause potential
side effects and is no longer recommended for the treatment of hypotension.
Your facility experiences a power outage and you are required to manually rinse back
your patients. What must you do prior to using the hand crank? - ANSWER The venous
line clamp below the venous drip chamber closes. Note: remember to open the NS line
clamp prior to rinseback.
DaVita policy states that the pre-pump arterial pressure must not exceed negative 260
mmHg. What are possible consequences of excessively negative pre pump arterial
pressures? - ANSWER Hemolysis, access damage, and decreased quantity of
delivered blood.
What needle size should be used for a new AV-fistula with a BFR (pump speed)
prescription of 250-350 mL/min? - ANSWER 16 gauge
If bicarbonate is mixed for too long, CO2 is released from the solution as a result of
over-mixing. How would this change the final dialysis? - ANSWER The pH reading
would be too high.
You are monitoring your secondary carbon tank every 30 minutes and the last test
result is 0.2 ppm. What is your next action? - ANSWER Stop dialysis treatments and
notify the FA, biomed technician, and Medical Director.
What is the FIRST response when a water sample exceeds the allowable limit for
chlorine/chloramine testing? - ANSWER Repeat the test on a new water sample taken
after the primary carbon tank.
