DaVita RN (2026) | Practice Test
with Correct Answers | Graded A+
‣ Angina Answer: Definition: Chest pain or discomfort due to Coronary
Heart Disease. Occurs when heart muscle doesn't get as much blood as it
needs. May also feel discomfort in neck, jaw, shoulder, back or arm.
Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing pain in center of chest.
S/S: Chest pain, difficulty breathing, nausea
Interventions: Reduce BFR to 150, reduce UFR, give O2, monitor
cardiac rhythm/VS
‣ Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome (DDS) Answer: Definition: A
condition in which rapid or drastic changes in the patient's extracellular
fluid affect the brain
S/S: Headache, hypertension, nausea, restlessness, convulsions/seizures,
confusion, blurred vision
Intervention: decrease BFR and DFR, shorter initial treatments,
‣ Hypertension Answer: Definition: high blood pressure (Pre-Dialysis:
>140/90; Post> 130/80)
,S/S: No symptoms, headache, dizziness, Irritability, Blurred vision,
nervousness, edema secondary to fluid retention
Intervention:Determine cause, maintain fluid balance take medications
as prescribed, notify MD
‣ hypotension Answer: Definition: low blood pressure (Systolic: <90,
Diastolic: <60 or drop in systolic more than 20 mm/hg
S/S: flushing, yawning, dizziness, ear ringing, tachycardia, anxiousness,
nausea/vomiting, cold clammy skin, seizures, cardiac arrest
Interventions: place pt in supine position, decrease UFR to minimum,
provide drinking water for less severe hypotension, give 100-200 mL
saline for severe hypotension, monitor BP, notify RN
‣ Muscle Cramps Answer: Definition: painful muscle contractions in
extremities or abdomen typically occurring due to rapid/excessive fluid
removal.
S/S: painful cramps usually occuring later in dialysis
Intervention: massage or apply opposing force, give normal saline bolus,
reduce UFR, assess dry weight
, ‣ Fever & Chills Answer: Definition: Any temp greater than 100° F or
increase over baseline of 2° F with symptoms
S/S: Temp >100°F, involuntary shaking, chills, hypotension, nausea,
vomiting, headache, hypotension, tachycardia, hot flushed skin, dry
mucous membranes
Interventions: nurse must assess pt for possible cause of fever, notify
treating nephrologist and obtain cultures per protocol, administer
antibiotics as ordered
‣ Pyrogen Reaction Answer: Definitions: elevated temp- usually occurs
45-75 min into treatment as a result of pyrogens (endotoxins)
S/S: chills, shaking, fever, hypotension, vomiting, muscle pain
Intervention: Provide support, report pt s/s to RN, stop tx, do not return
blood, notify MD.
‣ Seizures Answer: Definition: involuntary muscle spasms and loss of
consciousness
S/S: change in level of consciousness, twitching/jerking movements of
the extremities
with Correct Answers | Graded A+
‣ Angina Answer: Definition: Chest pain or discomfort due to Coronary
Heart Disease. Occurs when heart muscle doesn't get as much blood as it
needs. May also feel discomfort in neck, jaw, shoulder, back or arm.
Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing pain in center of chest.
S/S: Chest pain, difficulty breathing, nausea
Interventions: Reduce BFR to 150, reduce UFR, give O2, monitor
cardiac rhythm/VS
‣ Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome (DDS) Answer: Definition: A
condition in which rapid or drastic changes in the patient's extracellular
fluid affect the brain
S/S: Headache, hypertension, nausea, restlessness, convulsions/seizures,
confusion, blurred vision
Intervention: decrease BFR and DFR, shorter initial treatments,
‣ Hypertension Answer: Definition: high blood pressure (Pre-Dialysis:
>140/90; Post> 130/80)
,S/S: No symptoms, headache, dizziness, Irritability, Blurred vision,
nervousness, edema secondary to fluid retention
Intervention:Determine cause, maintain fluid balance take medications
as prescribed, notify MD
‣ hypotension Answer: Definition: low blood pressure (Systolic: <90,
Diastolic: <60 or drop in systolic more than 20 mm/hg
S/S: flushing, yawning, dizziness, ear ringing, tachycardia, anxiousness,
nausea/vomiting, cold clammy skin, seizures, cardiac arrest
Interventions: place pt in supine position, decrease UFR to minimum,
provide drinking water for less severe hypotension, give 100-200 mL
saline for severe hypotension, monitor BP, notify RN
‣ Muscle Cramps Answer: Definition: painful muscle contractions in
extremities or abdomen typically occurring due to rapid/excessive fluid
removal.
S/S: painful cramps usually occuring later in dialysis
Intervention: massage or apply opposing force, give normal saline bolus,
reduce UFR, assess dry weight
, ‣ Fever & Chills Answer: Definition: Any temp greater than 100° F or
increase over baseline of 2° F with symptoms
S/S: Temp >100°F, involuntary shaking, chills, hypotension, nausea,
vomiting, headache, hypotension, tachycardia, hot flushed skin, dry
mucous membranes
Interventions: nurse must assess pt for possible cause of fever, notify
treating nephrologist and obtain cultures per protocol, administer
antibiotics as ordered
‣ Pyrogen Reaction Answer: Definitions: elevated temp- usually occurs
45-75 min into treatment as a result of pyrogens (endotoxins)
S/S: chills, shaking, fever, hypotension, vomiting, muscle pain
Intervention: Provide support, report pt s/s to RN, stop tx, do not return
blood, notify MD.
‣ Seizures Answer: Definition: involuntary muscle spasms and loss of
consciousness
S/S: change in level of consciousness, twitching/jerking movements of
the extremities
