Role Responsibilities Flashcards

Which of the following best describes the reason for wearing gloves when handling a machine prior to blood?

Answer: Universal precautions

Universal precautions are an infection control strategy that treats all human blood and certain body fluids as if they are known to be infectious for HIV, HBV, and other bloodborne pathogens. Wearing gloves when handling equipment, even before blood is present, adheres to this principle by protecting the technician from potential exposure to unseen contaminants or residual bodily fluids from previous use. This proactive measure minimizes the risk of pathogen transmission in a healthcare setting.

You test for sterilant levels in a hemodialysis machine prior to patient use. The test is positive for sterilant. This means the machine:

Answer: needs further rinsing

A positive test for sterilant indicates that residual sterilizing chemicals are still present in the machine. These chemicals are toxic and can cause severe adverse reactions if they enter the patient's bloodstream during dialysis. Therefore, the machine requires thorough rinsing to remove all traces of the sterilant before it can be safely connected to a patient.

Prior to each patient shift, it would be essential to perform a water quality check for which of these substances?

Answer: Chlorine and chloramine

Chlorine and chloramine are disinfectants added to municipal water supplies, but they are highly toxic to dialysis patients and can cause hemolytic anemia. Therefore, it is critical to test for their presence and ensure they are completely removed by the carbon filters before each patient shift. This daily check is a vital safety measure to prevent patient harm.

During hemodialysis, a patient goes into cardiac arrest. Which of these actions should be taken first?

Answer: Call for help

In any medical emergency, especially a life-threatening event like cardiac arrest, the immediate priority is to activate the emergency response system and call for help. This ensures that trained personnel and necessary equipment (like a defibrillator) arrive quickly to initiate resuscitation efforts. While other actions like stopping ultrafiltration or returning blood may be necessary, they are secondary to securing immediate assistance.

The technician's role in patient teaching should be to:

Answer: determine the patient's learning needs

While technicians reinforce teaching, their primary role in patient education is to assess and determine what specific information the patient needs to learn or understand regarding their treatment and self-care. This involves identifying gaps in knowledge, addressing concerns, and tailoring information to the patient's individual comprehension level. This foundational step ensures that teaching efforts are relevant and effective.

What can dialysis staff do to reduce the risk of being infected with a blood-borne pathogen?

Answer: All of the above

Reducing the risk of blood-borne pathogen infection requires a multi-faceted approach. Proper hand washing is fundamental for hygiene, universal precautions dictate treating all blood and body fluids as infectious, and proper sharps disposal prevents needlestick injuries. Implementing all these measures collectively provides comprehensive protection for dialysis staff against blood-borne pathogens.

Which of the following are ways to handle chemicals safely?

Answer: All of the above

Safe chemical handling involves multiple practices to protect staff and patients. Washing hands before eating or drinking prevents ingestion of chemical residues, wearing protective clothing (like gloves and gowns) creates a barrier against skin exposure, and refraining from eating or drinking in work areas minimizes the risk of accidental ingestion or contamination. Adhering to all these guidelines is crucial for maintaining a safe environment when working with chemicals.

What is the correct angle at which to cannulate a fistula?

Answer: 25-35 degrees

Cannulating a fistula at an angle of 25-35 degrees is recommended to ensure proper needle placement within the vessel lumen without puncturing the back wall. This angle allows for smooth entry and minimizes trauma to the vessel, which is crucial for preserving the long-term patency and function of the fistula. Incorrect angles can lead to complications such as hematoma, infiltration, or damage to the access.

Which of the following affects access recirculation?

Answer: All of the above

Access recirculation occurs when dialyzed blood re-enters the arterial needle, reducing dialysis efficiency. The distance between the needle tips (too close), the presence of stenosis (narrowing) in the access, and the direction of the needles (reversed or improperly placed) all contribute to recirculation. Understanding and managing these factors are crucial for optimizing dialysis treatment and ensuring adequate solute clearance.

The technician observes that the hardness reading after the water softener is above the acceptable limit. The technician should check the softener tank's level of:

Answer: salt

Water softeners remove hardness-causing minerals like calcium and magnesium through an ion exchange process, which requires salt (sodium chloride) to regenerate the resin beads. If the hardness reading is high, it indicates the softener is not functioning effectively, most commonly because the salt level in the brine tank is too low to properly regenerate the resin. Replenishing the salt is usually the first corrective action.

A technician observes all of the following in the hemodialysis unit. Which one poses an environmental risk?

Answer: About one ounce (30 ml) of fluid is on the floor

Even a small amount of fluid on the floor, such as one ounce, poses a significant environmental risk because it creates a slip-and-fall hazard for patients and staff. In a healthcare setting, this risk is amplified due to the presence of elderly or frail patients. Promptly cleaning spills is essential to maintain a safe environment and prevent injuries.