DAVITA PCT TRAINING EXAM 2024 (FINAL EXAM
FOR STAR PROGRAM) WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
1. What is the primary function of the kidneys?
o A) To produce hormones
o B) To filter blood
o C) To digest food
o D) To regulate temperature
2. Which of the following is a potential complication of
hemodialysis?
o A) Hypoglycemia
o B) Hypotension
o C) Hyperthermia
o D) Hyperplasia
3. What is the correct procedure for initiating hemodialysis?
o A) Assess patient's mental status
o B) Prepare the dialysis machine
o C) Check the arteriovenous fistula or graft for patency
o D) Review dietary restrictions
4. How often should a patient's weight be monitored in hemodialysis?
o A) Once a month
o B) Once a week
o C) Before and after each session
o D) Twice a year
5. Which dietary mineral's intake should be restricted in most dialysis
patients?
o A) Calcium
o B) Iron
o C) Magnesium
o D) Potassium
6. What does Kt/V measure in the context of dialysis?
o A) Dialysis dose
o B) Kidney size
, o C) Venous pressure
o D) Blood sugar levels
7. Which blood component primarily indicates anemia in dialysis
patients?
o A) White blood cells
o B) Platelets
o C) Hemoglobin
o D) Electrolytes
8. In infection control, what is the most important step for a PCT to
perform?
o A) Hand hygiene
o B) Sterilizing equipment
o C) Wearing a mask
o D) Keeping the room temperature controlled
9. What is the best practice for dealing with a clotted dialyzer?
o A) Continue dialysis with increased pressure
o B) Replace the dialyzer
o C) Decrease the blood flow rate
o D) Administer anticoagulants
10. When should a patient be referred to a renal dietitian?
o A) After every dialysis session
o B) When they request it
o C) Upon initial diagnosis of kidney disease
o D) After a transplant
11. What is an appropriate intervention for managing fluid
overload in dialysis patients?
o A) Decreasing dialysis frequency
o B) Adjusting the dry weight
o C) Increasing protein intake
o D) Reducing dialysis duration
12. What should a patient avoid using on the access arm?
o A) Moisturizers
o B) Sunscreen
o C) Blood pressure cuffs
, o D) Light clothing
13. During hemodialysis, which symptom requires immediate
attention?
o A) Hunger
o B) Chest pain
o C) Itching
o D) Fatigue
14. What is the purpose of the venous pressure monitor in a
dialysis machine?
o A) Measure the concentration of solutes in the blood
o B) Detect potential access issues
o C) Control the temperature of the dialysate
o D) Monitor the patient's heart rate
15. How is the adequacy of dialysis assessed?
o A) Urea reduction ratio (URR) and Kt/V
o B) Patient's subjective feeling
o C) Frequency of dialysis sessions
o D) Duration of each dialysis session
16. What is a common side effect of dialysis that patients may
experience?
o A) Hyperactivity
o B) Increased urine output
o C) Muscle cramps
o D) Improved vision
17. What should be the frequency of routine blood tests in stable
dialysis patients?
o A) Daily
o B) Weekly
o C) Bi-weekly
o D) Monthly
18. How should a PCT respond to a dialysis access site
infection?
o A) Apply a heating pad
o B) Notify the nurse or physician
o C) Clean the site with alcohol
, o D) Cover the site with a waterproof bandage
19. Which vitamin deficiency is most common in dialysis
patients?
o A) Vitamin C
o B) Vitamin D
o C) Vitamin B12
o D) Vitamin A
20. When educating a patient about fluid intake, which strategy
is most effective?
o A) Telling them to drink only when thirsty
o B) Recommending exact ounces per day
o C) Equating fluid restrictions to daily activities
o D) Limiting fluid intake to meal times only
21. What is the role of the bicarbonate in dialysis treatment?
o A) It acts as a buffer to reduce acidity in the blood
o B) It helps correct the metabolic acidosis common in
kidney failure
o C) It increases calcium absorption
o D) It stimulates red blood cell production
22. What type of vascular access is typically preferred for long-
term dialysis?
o A) Central venous catheter
o B) Arteriovenous fistula
o C) Arteriovenous graft
o D) Peripheral venous catheter
23. Which parameter is adjusted on the dialysis machine to
remove excess fluid from the patient?
o A) Ultrafiltration rate
o B) Dialysate flow rate
o C) Blood flow rate
o D) Temperature
24. What is a critical safety check before starting the dialysis
machine?
o A) Ensuring all alarms are turned off
o B) Verifying the machine settings and prescription
FOR STAR PROGRAM) WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
1. What is the primary function of the kidneys?
o A) To produce hormones
o B) To filter blood
o C) To digest food
o D) To regulate temperature
2. Which of the following is a potential complication of
hemodialysis?
o A) Hypoglycemia
o B) Hypotension
o C) Hyperthermia
o D) Hyperplasia
3. What is the correct procedure for initiating hemodialysis?
o A) Assess patient's mental status
o B) Prepare the dialysis machine
o C) Check the arteriovenous fistula or graft for patency
o D) Review dietary restrictions
4. How often should a patient's weight be monitored in hemodialysis?
o A) Once a month
o B) Once a week
o C) Before and after each session
o D) Twice a year
5. Which dietary mineral's intake should be restricted in most dialysis
patients?
o A) Calcium
o B) Iron
o C) Magnesium
o D) Potassium
6. What does Kt/V measure in the context of dialysis?
o A) Dialysis dose
o B) Kidney size
, o C) Venous pressure
o D) Blood sugar levels
7. Which blood component primarily indicates anemia in dialysis
patients?
o A) White blood cells
o B) Platelets
o C) Hemoglobin
o D) Electrolytes
8. In infection control, what is the most important step for a PCT to
perform?
o A) Hand hygiene
o B) Sterilizing equipment
o C) Wearing a mask
o D) Keeping the room temperature controlled
9. What is the best practice for dealing with a clotted dialyzer?
o A) Continue dialysis with increased pressure
o B) Replace the dialyzer
o C) Decrease the blood flow rate
o D) Administer anticoagulants
10. When should a patient be referred to a renal dietitian?
o A) After every dialysis session
o B) When they request it
o C) Upon initial diagnosis of kidney disease
o D) After a transplant
11. What is an appropriate intervention for managing fluid
overload in dialysis patients?
o A) Decreasing dialysis frequency
o B) Adjusting the dry weight
o C) Increasing protein intake
o D) Reducing dialysis duration
12. What should a patient avoid using on the access arm?
o A) Moisturizers
o B) Sunscreen
o C) Blood pressure cuffs
, o D) Light clothing
13. During hemodialysis, which symptom requires immediate
attention?
o A) Hunger
o B) Chest pain
o C) Itching
o D) Fatigue
14. What is the purpose of the venous pressure monitor in a
dialysis machine?
o A) Measure the concentration of solutes in the blood
o B) Detect potential access issues
o C) Control the temperature of the dialysate
o D) Monitor the patient's heart rate
15. How is the adequacy of dialysis assessed?
o A) Urea reduction ratio (URR) and Kt/V
o B) Patient's subjective feeling
o C) Frequency of dialysis sessions
o D) Duration of each dialysis session
16. What is a common side effect of dialysis that patients may
experience?
o A) Hyperactivity
o B) Increased urine output
o C) Muscle cramps
o D) Improved vision
17. What should be the frequency of routine blood tests in stable
dialysis patients?
o A) Daily
o B) Weekly
o C) Bi-weekly
o D) Monthly
18. How should a PCT respond to a dialysis access site
infection?
o A) Apply a heating pad
o B) Notify the nurse or physician
o C) Clean the site with alcohol
, o D) Cover the site with a waterproof bandage
19. Which vitamin deficiency is most common in dialysis
patients?
o A) Vitamin C
o B) Vitamin D
o C) Vitamin B12
o D) Vitamin A
20. When educating a patient about fluid intake, which strategy
is most effective?
o A) Telling them to drink only when thirsty
o B) Recommending exact ounces per day
o C) Equating fluid restrictions to daily activities
o D) Limiting fluid intake to meal times only
21. What is the role of the bicarbonate in dialysis treatment?
o A) It acts as a buffer to reduce acidity in the blood
o B) It helps correct the metabolic acidosis common in
kidney failure
o C) It increases calcium absorption
o D) It stimulates red blood cell production
22. What type of vascular access is typically preferred for long-
term dialysis?
o A) Central venous catheter
o B) Arteriovenous fistula
o C) Arteriovenous graft
o D) Peripheral venous catheter
23. Which parameter is adjusted on the dialysis machine to
remove excess fluid from the patient?
o A) Ultrafiltration rate
o B) Dialysate flow rate
o C) Blood flow rate
o D) Temperature
24. What is a critical safety check before starting the dialysis
machine?
o A) Ensuring all alarms are turned off
o B) Verifying the machine settings and prescription
