DaVita PCT Final Exam Study Guide: 200
Questions & Rationales Covering Dialysis
Principles, Vascular Access, Infection Control,
Patient Assessment, Machine Alarms, Safety
Protocols, and Professional Responsibilities for
Certification Success
DaVita PCT Final Exam: Sample Questions &
Explanations
Section 1: Dialysis Principles
1. What is the primary function of
hemodialysis?
• ☑VERIFIED ANSWER: Replacing kidney
function by removing waste products and
excess fluid
• Rationale: Hemodialysis serves as artificial
kidney replacement, removing metabolic
, wastes like urea and creatinine while
correcting electrolyte imbalances. It does
not replace the kidney's endocrine
functions (hormone production).
2. Which substance is primarily removed
during dialysis as an indicator of waste
clearance?
• ☑VERIFIED ANSWER: Urea (Blood Urea
Nitrogen/BUN)
• Rationale: Urea is a protein metabolism
waste product. Its removal during dialysis
indicates treatment effectiveness, measured
by URR (Urea Reduction Ratio).
3. The excretory functions of the kidneys
include:
, • ☑VERIFIED ANSWER: Fluid balance,
electrolyte balance, waste removal,
acid/base balance
• Rationale: The kidneys perform multiple
excretory functions: maintaining fluid
balance, regulating electrolytes, removing
metabolic wastes, and maintaining acid-
base balance.
4. The endocrine functions of the kidneys are:
• ☑VERIFIED ANSWER: Renin and
erythropoietin secretion, activation of
vitamin D
• Rationale: Endocrine functions include
renin for blood pressure regulation,
erythropoietin (EPO) for red blood cell
production, and vitamin D activation for
bone health. These are NOT replaced by
dialysis.
, 5. Dialysis replaces only ____ percent of
normal kidney function.
• ☑VERIFIED ANSWER: 15%
• Rationale: Dialysis provides approximately
15% of normal kidney function, which is
sufficient for survival but not complete
replacement.
Section 2: Vascular Access
6. What are the three steps included in
vascular access assessment?
• ☑VERIFIED ANSWER: Look, Listen, Feel
(Inspect, Auscultate, Palpate)
• Rationale: Systematic assessment: Look for
signs of infection/bleeding, Listen for the
bruit with a stethoscope, and Feel for the
thrill (vibration).
Questions & Rationales Covering Dialysis
Principles, Vascular Access, Infection Control,
Patient Assessment, Machine Alarms, Safety
Protocols, and Professional Responsibilities for
Certification Success
DaVita PCT Final Exam: Sample Questions &
Explanations
Section 1: Dialysis Principles
1. What is the primary function of
hemodialysis?
• ☑VERIFIED ANSWER: Replacing kidney
function by removing waste products and
excess fluid
• Rationale: Hemodialysis serves as artificial
kidney replacement, removing metabolic
, wastes like urea and creatinine while
correcting electrolyte imbalances. It does
not replace the kidney's endocrine
functions (hormone production).
2. Which substance is primarily removed
during dialysis as an indicator of waste
clearance?
• ☑VERIFIED ANSWER: Urea (Blood Urea
Nitrogen/BUN)
• Rationale: Urea is a protein metabolism
waste product. Its removal during dialysis
indicates treatment effectiveness, measured
by URR (Urea Reduction Ratio).
3. The excretory functions of the kidneys
include:
, • ☑VERIFIED ANSWER: Fluid balance,
electrolyte balance, waste removal,
acid/base balance
• Rationale: The kidneys perform multiple
excretory functions: maintaining fluid
balance, regulating electrolytes, removing
metabolic wastes, and maintaining acid-
base balance.
4. The endocrine functions of the kidneys are:
• ☑VERIFIED ANSWER: Renin and
erythropoietin secretion, activation of
vitamin D
• Rationale: Endocrine functions include
renin for blood pressure regulation,
erythropoietin (EPO) for red blood cell
production, and vitamin D activation for
bone health. These are NOT replaced by
dialysis.
, 5. Dialysis replaces only ____ percent of
normal kidney function.
• ☑VERIFIED ANSWER: 15%
• Rationale: Dialysis provides approximately
15% of normal kidney function, which is
sufficient for survival but not complete
replacement.
Section 2: Vascular Access
6. What are the three steps included in
vascular access assessment?
• ☑VERIFIED ANSWER: Look, Listen, Feel
(Inspect, Auscultate, Palpate)
• Rationale: Systematic assessment: Look for
signs of infection/bleeding, Listen for the
bruit with a stethoscope, and Feel for the
thrill (vibration).
