Emergency Preparedness and 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 Emergency Preparedness and Procedures flashcards as text
During hemodialysis, a patient develops sudden severe chest pain and shortness of breath. Which emergency condition should the technician consider first?
Answer: Pulmonary embolism or cardiac event
Sudden severe chest pain with dyspnea during dialysis is a red-flag presentation for a pulmonary embolism or acute cardiac event (myocardial infarction, unstable angina). These are life-threatening emergencies requiring immediate cessation of dialysis, physician notification, and 911 activation.
What is the immediate action a hemodialysis technician should take if a blood leak is detected in the dialysate circuit?
Answer: Clamp the blood lines and notify the nurse immediately
Detection of a blood leak (blood crossing from the blood compartment into the dialysate) requires immediate clamping of blood lines and notification of the nurse. Treatment must be stopped because blood loss and potential dialysate contamination pose serious risks to the patient.
In the event of a power failure during hemodialysis, what is the priority action for the hemodialysis technician?
Answer: Immediately clamp all lines and prepare to return blood using manual techniques
During a power failure, the blood pump stops and blood in the extracorporeal circuit is at risk of clotting. The priority is to clamp all lines and prepare for manual blood return using gravity or a hand-crank pump to return the patient's blood safely.
A patient receiving hemodialysis develops sudden loss of consciousness and is unresponsive. What is the first step in the emergency response?
Answer: Call for help and activate the emergency response system (call code)
When a patient becomes unresponsive, the first priority is calling for help and activating the emergency response system. The patient needs immediate assessment and potentially CPR, defibrillation, or other advanced interventions that require a team response.
What is the correct patient position for treating hypotension during hemodialysis?
Answer: Trendelenburg (legs elevated, head down)
The Trendelenburg position (supine with legs elevated above the level of the heart) increases venous return to the heart and improves cardiac output, which is the first-line non-pharmacologic intervention for intradialytic hypotension.
During dialysis, you observe bubbles in the venous blood line. What should you do immediately?
Answer: Clamp the venous line and stop the blood pump immediately
Visible air bubbles in the venous blood line is a potential air embolism emergency. The venous line must be clamped and the blood pump stopped immediately to prevent air from entering the patient's circulation, which can be fatal.