D DaVita, Inc.
MAXE · TCP
★ ★
DaVita Patient Care Technician Training Program
EST. 1999
PROVIDER, PARTNER, AND EMPLOYER OF CHOICE
DaVita PCT — Advanced Examination
N E E D L E GAU G E S · C A N N U L AT I O N · E M E R G E N C I E S · W AT E R T R E AT M E N T
INSTITUTION DaVita, Inc. PROGRAM Patient Care Technician (PCT)
SPECIALTY Hemodialysis ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE PCT Advanced Examination TOTAL QUESTIONS 90 Questions
SUBJECT Advanced Hemodialysis · FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Cannulation · Emergencies Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Covers needle gauge specifications, cannulation levels, vascular access assessment, water treatment,
emergencies, and advanced dialysis concepts.
▸ Correct answers and detailed clinical rationales appear below each question.
, ADVANCED HEMODIALYSIS · CANNULATION ·
Questions 1 – 90
EMERGENCIES
1. A 17 gauge needle supports what blood flow range and pre-pump arterial pressure?
A. 350–450 mL/min; no more negative than −220 mmHg
B. 250–350 mL/min; no more negative than −200 mmHg
C. 200–250 mL/min; no more negative than −150 mmHg
D. >450 mL/min; no more negative than −260 mmHg
CORRECT ANSWER C — 200–250 mL/min; no more negative than −150 mmHg
RATIONALE 17G needles are the smallest commonly used dialysis needles, supporting BFR of
200–250 mL/min with pre-pump AP no more negative than −150 mmHg. Larger
gauges support higher flow rates.
2. A 16 gauge needle supports what blood flow range and pre-pump arterial pressure?
A. 200–250 mL/min; −150 mmHg
B. 250–350 mL/min; no more negative than −200 mmHg
C. 350–450 mL/min; −220 mmHg
D. >450 mL/min; −260 mmHg
CORRECT ANSWER B — 250–350 mL/min; no more negative than −200 mmHg
RATIONALE 16G needles support BFR of 250–350 mL/min with pre-pump AP no more negative
than −200 mmHg. This is a commonly used mid-range needle size.
,3. A 15 gauge needle supports what blood flow range and pre-pump arterial pressure?
A. 250–350 mL/min; −200 mmHg
B. 200–250 mL/min; −150 mmHg
C. 350–450 mL/min; no more negative than −220 mmHg
D. >450 mL/min; −260 mmHg
CORRECT ANSWER C — 350–450 mL/min; no more negative than −220 mmHg
RATIONALE 15G needles support BFR of 350–450 mL/min with pre-pump AP no more negative
than −220 mmHg. This is commonly used for patients with established accesses
requiring higher flow rates.
4. A 14 gauge needle supports what blood flow range and pre-pump arterial pressure?
A. 350–450 mL/min; −220 mmHg
B. 250–350 mL/min; −200 mmHg
C. 200–250 mL/min; −150 mmHg
D. Greater than 450 mL/min; no more negative than −260 mmHg
CORRECT ANSWER D — Greater than 450 mL/min; no more negative than −260 mmHg
RATIONALE 14G needles have the largest lumen, supporting BFR >450 mL/min with pre-pump
AP no more negative than −260 mmHg. Used for high-efficiency dialysis with well-
developed accesses.
, 5. What are the six basic pre-treatment data collection tasks?
A. Lab review, medication check, allergy check, diet review, fluid assessment, access check
B. Pre-weight, mobility, vital signs, peripheral edema, general disposition, and vascular
access
C. Temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, pain level
D. Weight, height, BMI, temperature, blood pressure, heart rate
CORRECT ANSWER B — Pre-weight, mobility, vital signs, peripheral edema, general
disposition, and vascular access
RATIONALE The six basic pre-treatment assessments are: (1) pre-weight, (2) mobility, (3) vital
signs (temperature, BP, heart rate, respiration), (4) peripheral edema, (5) patient's
general disposition, and (6) vascular access assessment.
6. Digoxin can be used to treat CHF and can cause what cardiac effect?
A. Tachycardia
B. Bradycardia
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. Ventricular tachycardia
CORRECT ANSWER B — Bradycardia
RATIONALE Digoxin increases cardiac contractility but can cause bradycardia as a side effect,
particularly at toxic levels. Patients on digoxin require heart rate monitoring
before and during dialysis.
MAXE · TCP
★ ★
DaVita Patient Care Technician Training Program
EST. 1999
PROVIDER, PARTNER, AND EMPLOYER OF CHOICE
DaVita PCT — Advanced Examination
N E E D L E GAU G E S · C A N N U L AT I O N · E M E R G E N C I E S · W AT E R T R E AT M E N T
INSTITUTION DaVita, Inc. PROGRAM Patient Care Technician (PCT)
SPECIALTY Hemodialysis ACADEMIC YEAR
EXAM TITLE PCT Advanced Examination TOTAL QUESTIONS 90 Questions
SUBJECT Advanced Hemodialysis · FORMAT Multiple Choice — Select the
Cannulation · Emergencies Single Best Answer
EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
▸ Select the single best answer for each question.
▸ Covers needle gauge specifications, cannulation levels, vascular access assessment, water treatment,
emergencies, and advanced dialysis concepts.
▸ Correct answers and detailed clinical rationales appear below each question.
, ADVANCED HEMODIALYSIS · CANNULATION ·
Questions 1 – 90
EMERGENCIES
1. A 17 gauge needle supports what blood flow range and pre-pump arterial pressure?
A. 350–450 mL/min; no more negative than −220 mmHg
B. 250–350 mL/min; no more negative than −200 mmHg
C. 200–250 mL/min; no more negative than −150 mmHg
D. >450 mL/min; no more negative than −260 mmHg
CORRECT ANSWER C — 200–250 mL/min; no more negative than −150 mmHg
RATIONALE 17G needles are the smallest commonly used dialysis needles, supporting BFR of
200–250 mL/min with pre-pump AP no more negative than −150 mmHg. Larger
gauges support higher flow rates.
2. A 16 gauge needle supports what blood flow range and pre-pump arterial pressure?
A. 200–250 mL/min; −150 mmHg
B. 250–350 mL/min; no more negative than −200 mmHg
C. 350–450 mL/min; −220 mmHg
D. >450 mL/min; −260 mmHg
CORRECT ANSWER B — 250–350 mL/min; no more negative than −200 mmHg
RATIONALE 16G needles support BFR of 250–350 mL/min with pre-pump AP no more negative
than −200 mmHg. This is a commonly used mid-range needle size.
,3. A 15 gauge needle supports what blood flow range and pre-pump arterial pressure?
A. 250–350 mL/min; −200 mmHg
B. 200–250 mL/min; −150 mmHg
C. 350–450 mL/min; no more negative than −220 mmHg
D. >450 mL/min; −260 mmHg
CORRECT ANSWER C — 350–450 mL/min; no more negative than −220 mmHg
RATIONALE 15G needles support BFR of 350–450 mL/min with pre-pump AP no more negative
than −220 mmHg. This is commonly used for patients with established accesses
requiring higher flow rates.
4. A 14 gauge needle supports what blood flow range and pre-pump arterial pressure?
A. 350–450 mL/min; −220 mmHg
B. 250–350 mL/min; −200 mmHg
C. 200–250 mL/min; −150 mmHg
D. Greater than 450 mL/min; no more negative than −260 mmHg
CORRECT ANSWER D — Greater than 450 mL/min; no more negative than −260 mmHg
RATIONALE 14G needles have the largest lumen, supporting BFR >450 mL/min with pre-pump
AP no more negative than −260 mmHg. Used for high-efficiency dialysis with well-
developed accesses.
, 5. What are the six basic pre-treatment data collection tasks?
A. Lab review, medication check, allergy check, diet review, fluid assessment, access check
B. Pre-weight, mobility, vital signs, peripheral edema, general disposition, and vascular
access
C. Temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, pain level
D. Weight, height, BMI, temperature, blood pressure, heart rate
CORRECT ANSWER B — Pre-weight, mobility, vital signs, peripheral edema, general
disposition, and vascular access
RATIONALE The six basic pre-treatment assessments are: (1) pre-weight, (2) mobility, (3) vital
signs (temperature, BP, heart rate, respiration), (4) peripheral edema, (5) patient's
general disposition, and (6) vascular access assessment.
6. Digoxin can be used to treat CHF and can cause what cardiac effect?
A. Tachycardia
B. Bradycardia
C. Atrial fibrillation
D. Ventricular tachycardia
CORRECT ANSWER B — Bradycardia
RATIONALE Digoxin increases cardiac contractility but can cause bradycardia as a side effect,
particularly at toxic levels. Patients on digoxin require heart rate monitoring
before and during dialysis.
