Dialysis Procedures Flashcards
6 cards from real CCHT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Dialysis Procedures flashcards as text
What is the correct action if a patient's access site begins bleeding profusely during hemodialysis?
Answer: Apply direct pressure, alert the nurse/physician, and prepare to terminate treatment
Profuse bleeding from the access site requires immediate direct pressure, notification of the nurse and physician, and preparation to terminate treatment if bleeding cannot be controlled.
When should the dialyzer reuse procedure begin, and what is the minimum residual volume typically required for a dialyzer to be approved for reuse?
Answer: After treatment completion and cleaning; minimum 80% of original priming volume
Reprocessed dialyzers must retain at least 80% of their original priming volume to confirm adequate membrane surface area remains for effective treatment.
A patient arrives 30 minutes late for a 4-hour treatment. The nurse shortens the treatment to 3.5 hours. What is the primary concern with this approach?
Answer: Inadequate dialysis (reduced Kt/V) leading to uremic symptoms and increased complications
Reduced treatment time directly lowers Kt/V (dialysis adequacy), resulting in inadequate uremic toxin removal and increased risk of uremic complications.
Which assessment finding during dialysis should prompt the technician to notify the nurse immediately?
Answer: Patient reports chest pain and shortness of breath
Chest pain and shortness of breath during dialysis may indicate air embolism, cardiac event, hemolysis, or pulmonary edema, all emergencies requiring immediate nursing assessment.
What does the term sodium modeling or sodium profiling refer to in hemodialysis?
Answer: Programming the machine to vary dialysate sodium concentration during treatment to improve hemodynamic stability
Sodium modeling programs the dialysis machine to use higher dialysate sodium concentrations early in treatment and decrease it toward treatment end, improving hemodynamic stability.
How should a CCHT respond if a patient refuses treatment at the start of a dialysis session?
Answer: Notify the nurse and physician, document the refusal, and ensure the patient understands the consequences
Patient autonomy must be respected. The CCHT must notify the nurse/physician, ensure informed refusal with documentation of risks explained, and document the patient's decision.