CCHT Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CCHT facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A hemodialysis patient's serum phosphorus is 7.8 mg/dL. Which of the following is the most appropriate dietary recommendation to address this finding? → Restrict foods high in phosphorus such as dairy, nuts, and cola drinks
2. Under CMS regulations, all dialysis patients have the right to: → Be informed about their treatment plan and participate in its development.
3. What determines the surface area of a hollow fiber dialyzer? → All of the above
4. A patient who experiences numbness, tremors, muscle spasms, and muscle pain may have low levels of __________. → calcium
5. When should healthcare workers wear masks in dialysis? → When there is a risk of exposure to respiratory droplets or bloodborne pathogens
6. Which electrolyte imbalance most commonly requires emergent treatment during hemodialysis, and what medication may be given IV? → Hyperkalemia treated with calcium gluconate or dextrose/insulin
7. Which of the following should be used to disinfect dialysis equipment? → An approved chemical disinfectant
8. Which of the following best describes the reason for wearing gloves when handling a machine prior to blood? → Universal precautions
9. The aluminum level in dialysis water should be ___________. → ≤ 0.01 mg/L
10. Normal saline has a sodium chloride concentration of ___________. → 0.90%
11. Patients with uremia develop foamy or bubbly urine because _________. → protein leaks into the urine
12. Which physical finding during pre-treatment assessment most specifically indicates arterial steal syndrome in a patient with a new upper arm AVF? → Cold, pale hand that warms when the fistula is manually compressed
13. A new patient has been identified as hepatitis C positive. What infection control precautions should be implemented in the hemodialysis unit? → Cohort the patient with other HCV-positive patients and use dedicated machines
14. Bacterial exposure to water may cause which of the following symptoms? → Fever/Chills
15. Which patient education topic is crucial before discharge? → Access site care
16. How often should activated carbon filters in the dialysis water treatment system be tested for chlorine/chloramine removal efficacy? → Before the first patient treatment of each day and after each shift
17. To reinforce teaching, the technician should remind patients with kidney failure that they should avoid ___________. → smoking
18. How do you assess the adequacy of dialysis? → Through clinical measures and lab tests
19. Compared to the general population, the protein needs of a patient on maintenance hemodialysis are typically: → Higher.
20. In a dialysis machine, the proportioning system does what? → Appropriately mix the dialysate concentrates with water
21. Choose the correct statement regarding serum abnormalities in renal failure: → creatinine, BUN, and phosphorus are elevated
22. The technician may divulge his or her password to ____________ if a dialysis facility uses electronic charting. → no one.
23. A dialysis patient asks to see their own medical records. Under HIPAA, how should the facility respond? → Provide access within 30 days (or 60 days with one 30-day extension) at a reasonable cost
24. What is a common symptom if air enters the dialysis bloodlines? → Shortness of breath and chest pain
25. If a new patient starts with a very high BUN, dialysis is purposely made less efficient to prevent: → dialysis disequilibrium syndrome
26. If an air embolism is suspected, in addition to stopping the blood pump, what is the correct position to place the patient in? → Trendelenburg position on the left side
27. What are the three main types of vascular access used in hemodialysis? → Arteriovenous fistula, AV graft, and central venous catheter
28. Which organism is most commonly responsible for catheter-related bloodstream infections in hemodialysis patients? → Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA)
29. What is the first step before initiating hemodialysis treatment? → Verify patient and prescription
30. How should you assess for complications during hemodialysis? → By monitoring for hypotension, bleeding, and other reactions