Davita PCT Final Exam Questions and
Answers
1. A patient position used for a suspected air embolism is:
A. Supine flat position
B. Trendelenburg on right side
C. Trendelenburg on left side
D. Semi-Fowler's position
Answer: C. Trendelenburg on left side
2. A patient's target weight is:
A. Determined only by the patient
B. Prescribed and determined by physician order, and modified by physician based
on patient tolerance
C. Set permanently at the start of treatment
D. Based only on the patient's preference
Answer: B. Prescribed and determined by physician order, and modified by physician
based on patient tolerance
3. A patient with AKI dialyzes in the out-patient facility. With regards to the patient's
target weight, why is this important?
A. It helps the patient gain more weight
B. It prevents hyperkalemia
C. It reduces the risk of hypovolemia and hypotension episodes
D. It improves the patient's appetite
Answer: C. It reduces the risk of hypovolemia and hypotension episodes
4. A PCT greets a patient and the patient reports feeling short of breath. The PCT
notices that the patient's lips are a blue hue. The PCT would:
A. Start treatment and monitor the patient closely
B. Give the patient oxygen and start treatment
C. Ask the patient to sit and wait
D. Not start treatment and immediately notify the nurse
Answer: D. Not start treatment and immediately notify the nurse
5. A recommended intervention for muscle cramps is:
A. Increasing the blood flow rate
B. Turning the ultrafiltration (UFR) off
C. Administering IV potassium
D. Increasing the dialysate temperature
Answer: B. Turning the ultrafiltration (UFR) off
,6. A surveyor asks you a question you don't know — what's a good answer?
A. Make up a reasonable answer
B. Refer the surveyor to another staff member without answering
C. I do not know the answer but I will find out
D. Tell the surveyor it is not your responsibility
Answer: C. I do not know the answer but I will find out
7. Acid concentrate replaces the excretory function of normal kidney function by:
A. Removing excess fluid
B. Normalizing electrolytes
C. Filtering waste products
D. Producing erythropoietin
Answer: B. Normalizing electrolytes
8. Administration of normal saline:
A. Can be done and the PCT may leave the patient
B. The teammate must remain with the patient to monitor the process until
administration is complete and lines are secure
C. Can be administered without physician order
D. Does not require documentation
Answer: B. The teammate must remain with the patient to monitor the process until
administration is complete and lines are secure
9. All documentation on machine setup and pre-treatment patient information:
A. Must be entered into the computer before the treatment is initiated
B. Can be completed after treatment ends
C. Is optional for experienced PCTs
D. Only needs to be done weekly
Answer: A. Must be entered into the computer before the treatment is initiated
10. At what time do you perform water hardness testing?
A. At the beginning of the treatment day
B. During the middle of treatments
C. At the end of the treatment day
D. Once a week on Mondays
Answer: C. At the end of the treatment day
11. Can you document patient vitals under another teammate already signed into the
computer?
A. Yes, if you are in a hurry
B. Yes, with supervisor approval
C. No, log in to the computer system under your credentials and document
D. Yes, as long as you inform the charge nurse
Answer: C. No, log in to the computer system under your credentials and document
, 12. Cynthia missed her treatment on Saturday and returns Tuesday complaining of
weakness in her legs. Which complication would the PCT and RN most likely
suspect?
A. Hypotension
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Anemia
Answer: C. Hyperkalemia
13. DaVita Quality Index (DQI) success is achieved:
A. Through managing individual patients first and allowing scores to follow
B. Through knowing each team member's role in improving the DQI score
C. Through the use of the CQI process to identify trends and make improvements
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
14. Dialysis replaces only _____ percent of normal kidney function:
A. 50%
B. 30%
C. 25%
D. 15%
Answer: D. 15%
15. Documentation in the medical record:
A. Is only for billing purposes
B. Provides data for the continuity and planning of patient care
C. Is only required once a month
D. Is optional for experienced staff
Answer: B. Provides data for the continuity and planning of patient care
16. Fever caused by a pyrogenic reaction will most likely occur at what time during
treatment?
A. Within the first 5 minutes
B. Within 45 to 75 minutes
C. At the end of treatment
D. After treatment is completed
Answer: B. Within 45 to 75 minutes
17. Flipping the arterial vascular access needle:
A. Must be done for every patient
B. Is required for AV grafts only
C. Is required for fistulas only
D. Is not necessary since all arterial needles have a back eye
Answers
1. A patient position used for a suspected air embolism is:
A. Supine flat position
B. Trendelenburg on right side
C. Trendelenburg on left side
D. Semi-Fowler's position
Answer: C. Trendelenburg on left side
2. A patient's target weight is:
A. Determined only by the patient
B. Prescribed and determined by physician order, and modified by physician based
on patient tolerance
C. Set permanently at the start of treatment
D. Based only on the patient's preference
Answer: B. Prescribed and determined by physician order, and modified by physician
based on patient tolerance
3. A patient with AKI dialyzes in the out-patient facility. With regards to the patient's
target weight, why is this important?
A. It helps the patient gain more weight
B. It prevents hyperkalemia
C. It reduces the risk of hypovolemia and hypotension episodes
D. It improves the patient's appetite
Answer: C. It reduces the risk of hypovolemia and hypotension episodes
4. A PCT greets a patient and the patient reports feeling short of breath. The PCT
notices that the patient's lips are a blue hue. The PCT would:
A. Start treatment and monitor the patient closely
B. Give the patient oxygen and start treatment
C. Ask the patient to sit and wait
D. Not start treatment and immediately notify the nurse
Answer: D. Not start treatment and immediately notify the nurse
5. A recommended intervention for muscle cramps is:
A. Increasing the blood flow rate
B. Turning the ultrafiltration (UFR) off
C. Administering IV potassium
D. Increasing the dialysate temperature
Answer: B. Turning the ultrafiltration (UFR) off
,6. A surveyor asks you a question you don't know — what's a good answer?
A. Make up a reasonable answer
B. Refer the surveyor to another staff member without answering
C. I do not know the answer but I will find out
D. Tell the surveyor it is not your responsibility
Answer: C. I do not know the answer but I will find out
7. Acid concentrate replaces the excretory function of normal kidney function by:
A. Removing excess fluid
B. Normalizing electrolytes
C. Filtering waste products
D. Producing erythropoietin
Answer: B. Normalizing electrolytes
8. Administration of normal saline:
A. Can be done and the PCT may leave the patient
B. The teammate must remain with the patient to monitor the process until
administration is complete and lines are secure
C. Can be administered without physician order
D. Does not require documentation
Answer: B. The teammate must remain with the patient to monitor the process until
administration is complete and lines are secure
9. All documentation on machine setup and pre-treatment patient information:
A. Must be entered into the computer before the treatment is initiated
B. Can be completed after treatment ends
C. Is optional for experienced PCTs
D. Only needs to be done weekly
Answer: A. Must be entered into the computer before the treatment is initiated
10. At what time do you perform water hardness testing?
A. At the beginning of the treatment day
B. During the middle of treatments
C. At the end of the treatment day
D. Once a week on Mondays
Answer: C. At the end of the treatment day
11. Can you document patient vitals under another teammate already signed into the
computer?
A. Yes, if you are in a hurry
B. Yes, with supervisor approval
C. No, log in to the computer system under your credentials and document
D. Yes, as long as you inform the charge nurse
Answer: C. No, log in to the computer system under your credentials and document
, 12. Cynthia missed her treatment on Saturday and returns Tuesday complaining of
weakness in her legs. Which complication would the PCT and RN most likely
suspect?
A. Hypotension
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Anemia
Answer: C. Hyperkalemia
13. DaVita Quality Index (DQI) success is achieved:
A. Through managing individual patients first and allowing scores to follow
B. Through knowing each team member's role in improving the DQI score
C. Through the use of the CQI process to identify trends and make improvements
D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
14. Dialysis replaces only _____ percent of normal kidney function:
A. 50%
B. 30%
C. 25%
D. 15%
Answer: D. 15%
15. Documentation in the medical record:
A. Is only for billing purposes
B. Provides data for the continuity and planning of patient care
C. Is only required once a month
D. Is optional for experienced staff
Answer: B. Provides data for the continuity and planning of patient care
16. Fever caused by a pyrogenic reaction will most likely occur at what time during
treatment?
A. Within the first 5 minutes
B. Within 45 to 75 minutes
C. At the end of treatment
D. After treatment is completed
Answer: B. Within 45 to 75 minutes
17. Flipping the arterial vascular access needle:
A. Must be done for every patient
B. Is required for AV grafts only
C. Is required for fistulas only
D. Is not necessary since all arterial needles have a back eye
