DaVita Inc.
MAXE LANIF · TCP
+ ★
DaVita University — PCT Training Program
D
EST. 1999
BRINGING QUALITY TO LIFE
DaVita Patient Care Technician — Final Examination
D I A LYS I S P R I N C I P L E S · VA S CU L A R ACC E SS · I N F E CT I O N CO N T R O L · S A F E TY ·
PAT I E N T C A R E
INSTITUTION DaVita Inc. / DaVita University PROGRAM Patient Care Technician (PCT)
Certification
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE PCT Final Examination —
Comprehensive
TOTAL QUESTIONS 95 Questions COURSE TITLE Hemodialysis Patient Care
Technician Training
FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the HQ Denver, Colorado
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Content spans dialysis principles, vascular access, infection control, safety, and DaVita policies.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for certification review.
▸ All clinical values reflect current DaVita P&Ps and CMS Conditions for Coverage.
, SECTION I — DIALYSIS PRINCIPLES, KT/V & WATER
Questions 1 – 20
TREATMENT
1. What factor would influence the "t" of the Kt/V formula?
A. Inadequate anticoagulation
B. Shortened treatment time
C. Poor dialysate flow
D. Low blood flow rate
CORRECT ANSWER B — Shortened treatment time
RATIONALE In the Kt/V formula, "t" represents treatment time (duration of dialysis). A
shortened treatment time directly reduces "t," thereby decreasing the total Kt/V —
the measure of dialysis adequacy. K (clearance) is affected by dialyzer type, blood
flow rate, and dialysate flow rate. V (volume of urea distribution) is patient-
specific. Inadequate anticoagulation would decrease K (clearance) by causing
clotting in the dialyzer, not affecting "t." The PCT must ensure patients receive
their full prescribed treatment time to achieve adequate dialysis dose.
2. Poor wound healing in dialysis patients is directly related to:
A. Excessive protein intake
B. Inadequate protein intake
C. High phosphorus levels
D. Excessive fluid intake
CORRECT ANSWER B — Inadequate protein intake
RATIONALE Dialysis patients are at high risk for protein-energy wasting due to increased
catabolism, amino acid losses during dialysis, and dietary restrictions.
Inadequate protein intake directly impairs wound healing because protein is
essential for tissue repair, collagen synthesis, and immune function. Albumin
levels are monitored as a marker of nutritional status — low albumin correlates
with poor wound healing and increased mortality. The PCT should report signs of
poor wound healing to the nurse and ensure nutritional concerns are
communicated to the dietitian and social worker.
,3. Standing post-treatment blood pressure reading of _____ is considered an abnormal
finding.
A. Systolic greater than 140 or less than 90
B. Systolic between 100–130
C. Diastolic between 60–80
D. Systolic exactly 120
CORRECT ANSWER A — Systolic greater than 140 or less than 90
RATIONALE Post-treatment blood pressure is an important indicator of hemodynamic
stability. Systolic BP greater than 140 mm Hg (hypertension — may indicate fluid
overload or inadequate fluid removal) or less than 90 mm Hg (hypotension — may
indicate excessive fluid removal or hemodynamic instability) are both considered
abnormal findings requiring notification of the RN. The PCT must accurately
measure and document post-treatment BP, compare it to pre-treatment values,
and report any abnormal readings. This is part of the post-treatment assessment
to determine if the patient is stable for discharge.
4. What factor would decrease the "K" (clearance) of the Kt/V formula?
A. Increased treatment time
B. Inadequate anticoagulation
C. Increased blood flow rate
D. Larger dialyzer surface area
CORRECT ANSWER B — Inadequate anticoagulation
RATIONALE "K" represents clearance in the Kt/V formula — the rate at which urea is removed
from the blood. Inadequate anticoagulation (insufficient heparin) causes clotting
within the dialyzer fibers, reducing the effective surface area available for
diffusion and thereby decreasing clearance (K). This results in lower Kt/V and
inadequate dialysis. The PCT must ensure proper heparin administration per
physician order, monitor for signs of clotting (dark blood, rising TMP), and report
concerns to the RN. Adequate anticoagulation is essential for optimal solute
clearance.
, 5. Documentation in the medical record serves which primary purpose?
A. To provide data for the continuity and planning of patient care
B. To fulfill billing requirements only
C. To protect the facility from lawsuits
D. To track employee productivity
CORRECT ANSWER A — To provide data for the continuity and planning of patient care
RATIONALE Medical record documentation serves the essential function of ensuring
continuity of care — it communicates the patient's condition, treatments
received, response to treatment, and ongoing plan across all members of the
healthcare team. It enables data-driven care planning, tracks trends over time,
and facilitates communication between shifts and disciplines. While
documentation also serves legal, regulatory, and billing purposes, its primary
clinical purpose is supporting safe, effective, and coordinated patient care. The
PCT must document accurately, objectively, and in real time.
6. Per physician order and based on individual patient needs, Chronic Kidney Disease
Mineral & Bone Disorder (MBD) is treated with:
A. Antibiotics and antihypertensives
B. Phosphate binders, vitamin D, and Calcitriol
C. Erythropoietin and iron supplements only
D. Insulin and glucose monitoring
CORRECT ANSWER B — Phosphate binders, vitamin D, and Calcitriol
RATIONALE CKD-MBD is a complex disorder involving abnormal calcium, phosphorus, PTH,
and vitamin D metabolism. Treatment includes: Phosphate binders (taken WITH
meals to prevent phosphorus absorption from food), vitamin D supplements, and
Calcitriol (active vitamin D — the kidneys normally convert vitamin D to its active
form; this function is lost in kidney failure). The goal is to normalize mineral
levels, prevent bone disease, and reduce cardiovascular calcification. The PCT
must ensure phosphate binders are taken with meals, not before or after, for
maximum effectiveness.
MAXE LANIF · TCP
+ ★
DaVita University — PCT Training Program
D
EST. 1999
BRINGING QUALITY TO LIFE
DaVita Patient Care Technician — Final Examination
D I A LYS I S P R I N C I P L E S · VA S CU L A R ACC E SS · I N F E CT I O N CO N T R O L · S A F E TY ·
PAT I E N T C A R E
INSTITUTION DaVita Inc. / DaVita University PROGRAM Patient Care Technician (PCT)
Certification
ACADEMIC YEAR EXAM TITLE PCT Final Examination —
Comprehensive
TOTAL QUESTIONS 95 Questions COURSE TITLE Hemodialysis Patient Care
Technician Training
FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the HQ Denver, Colorado
Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Content spans dialysis principles, vascular access, infection control, safety, and DaVita policies.
▸ Correct answers and rationales appear below each question for certification review.
▸ All clinical values reflect current DaVita P&Ps and CMS Conditions for Coverage.
, SECTION I — DIALYSIS PRINCIPLES, KT/V & WATER
Questions 1 – 20
TREATMENT
1. What factor would influence the "t" of the Kt/V formula?
A. Inadequate anticoagulation
B. Shortened treatment time
C. Poor dialysate flow
D. Low blood flow rate
CORRECT ANSWER B — Shortened treatment time
RATIONALE In the Kt/V formula, "t" represents treatment time (duration of dialysis). A
shortened treatment time directly reduces "t," thereby decreasing the total Kt/V —
the measure of dialysis adequacy. K (clearance) is affected by dialyzer type, blood
flow rate, and dialysate flow rate. V (volume of urea distribution) is patient-
specific. Inadequate anticoagulation would decrease K (clearance) by causing
clotting in the dialyzer, not affecting "t." The PCT must ensure patients receive
their full prescribed treatment time to achieve adequate dialysis dose.
2. Poor wound healing in dialysis patients is directly related to:
A. Excessive protein intake
B. Inadequate protein intake
C. High phosphorus levels
D. Excessive fluid intake
CORRECT ANSWER B — Inadequate protein intake
RATIONALE Dialysis patients are at high risk for protein-energy wasting due to increased
catabolism, amino acid losses during dialysis, and dietary restrictions.
Inadequate protein intake directly impairs wound healing because protein is
essential for tissue repair, collagen synthesis, and immune function. Albumin
levels are monitored as a marker of nutritional status — low albumin correlates
with poor wound healing and increased mortality. The PCT should report signs of
poor wound healing to the nurse and ensure nutritional concerns are
communicated to the dietitian and social worker.
,3. Standing post-treatment blood pressure reading of _____ is considered an abnormal
finding.
A. Systolic greater than 140 or less than 90
B. Systolic between 100–130
C. Diastolic between 60–80
D. Systolic exactly 120
CORRECT ANSWER A — Systolic greater than 140 or less than 90
RATIONALE Post-treatment blood pressure is an important indicator of hemodynamic
stability. Systolic BP greater than 140 mm Hg (hypertension — may indicate fluid
overload or inadequate fluid removal) or less than 90 mm Hg (hypotension — may
indicate excessive fluid removal or hemodynamic instability) are both considered
abnormal findings requiring notification of the RN. The PCT must accurately
measure and document post-treatment BP, compare it to pre-treatment values,
and report any abnormal readings. This is part of the post-treatment assessment
to determine if the patient is stable for discharge.
4. What factor would decrease the "K" (clearance) of the Kt/V formula?
A. Increased treatment time
B. Inadequate anticoagulation
C. Increased blood flow rate
D. Larger dialyzer surface area
CORRECT ANSWER B — Inadequate anticoagulation
RATIONALE "K" represents clearance in the Kt/V formula — the rate at which urea is removed
from the blood. Inadequate anticoagulation (insufficient heparin) causes clotting
within the dialyzer fibers, reducing the effective surface area available for
diffusion and thereby decreasing clearance (K). This results in lower Kt/V and
inadequate dialysis. The PCT must ensure proper heparin administration per
physician order, monitor for signs of clotting (dark blood, rising TMP), and report
concerns to the RN. Adequate anticoagulation is essential for optimal solute
clearance.
, 5. Documentation in the medical record serves which primary purpose?
A. To provide data for the continuity and planning of patient care
B. To fulfill billing requirements only
C. To protect the facility from lawsuits
D. To track employee productivity
CORRECT ANSWER A — To provide data for the continuity and planning of patient care
RATIONALE Medical record documentation serves the essential function of ensuring
continuity of care — it communicates the patient's condition, treatments
received, response to treatment, and ongoing plan across all members of the
healthcare team. It enables data-driven care planning, tracks trends over time,
and facilitates communication between shifts and disciplines. While
documentation also serves legal, regulatory, and billing purposes, its primary
clinical purpose is supporting safe, effective, and coordinated patient care. The
PCT must document accurately, objectively, and in real time.
6. Per physician order and based on individual patient needs, Chronic Kidney Disease
Mineral & Bone Disorder (MBD) is treated with:
A. Antibiotics and antihypertensives
B. Phosphate binders, vitamin D, and Calcitriol
C. Erythropoietin and iron supplements only
D. Insulin and glucose monitoring
CORRECT ANSWER B — Phosphate binders, vitamin D, and Calcitriol
RATIONALE CKD-MBD is a complex disorder involving abnormal calcium, phosphorus, PTH,
and vitamin D metabolism. Treatment includes: Phosphate binders (taken WITH
meals to prevent phosphorus absorption from food), vitamin D supplements, and
Calcitriol (active vitamin D — the kidneys normally convert vitamin D to its active
form; this function is lost in kidney failure). The goal is to normalize mineral
levels, prevent bone disease, and reduce cardiovascular calcification. The PCT
must ensure phosphate binders are taken with meals, not before or after, for
maximum effectiveness.
