Technical and Environment Flashcards

One-half teaspoon of salt is equal to about how many milligrams of sodium?

Answer: 1,150 mg

One teaspoon of salt (sodium chloride) is approximately 2300 mg of sodium. Therefore, one-half teaspoon of salt would be half of that amount. This calculation yields 2300 mg / 2 = 1150 mg of sodium, which is important information for dietary education in hemodialysis patients who often need to restrict sodium intake.

A dialysis machine is set up to use 36.1X parts dialysate. If the concentrate proportioning ratio calls for 1.00 part acid and 1.10 parts bicarbonate, how many parts of water are needed?

Answer: 34.0

The total dialysate proportioning ratio is given as 36.1 parts. The concentrate proportioning calls for 1.00 part acid and 1.10 parts bicarbonate. To determine the parts of water needed, subtract the concentrate parts from the total parts: 36.1 (total) - 1.00 (acid) - 1.10 (bicarbonate) = 34.0 parts of water. This calculation ensures the correct dilution for the dialysate mixture.

About what percentage of body water is in the intravascular space (inside blood vessels)?

Answer: 10%

Body water is distributed into several compartments within the body. The intravascular space, which refers to the fluid component of blood (plasma) contained within blood vessels, accounts for approximately 10% of the total body water. The majority of body water is found within cells (intracellular fluid) and in the spaces between cells (interstitial fluid).

The mass transfer coefficient of a dialyzer refers to ____________.

Answer: how well solutes pass through the dialyzer membrane

The mass transfer coefficient (KoA) of a dialyzer is a critical measure of its efficiency in removing solutes from the blood. It quantifies how readily solutes, or waste products, can cross the semipermeable membrane from the patient's blood into the dialysate fluid. A higher KoA value indicates a more efficient dialyzer for clearing waste products.

When using an alcohol-based hand rub, the hand rub should be applied to one palm and the hands rubbed together _____________.

Answer: until dry

When using alcohol-based hand rubs, it is crucial to rub the hands together thoroughly until they are completely dry. This ensures that the alcohol has sufficient contact time to effectively kill microorganisms on the skin surface. Allowing the hands to air dry completely also prevents the transfer of wet product to surfaces or patients, maintaining hygiene standards.

Choose the correct statement regarding serum abnormalities in renal failure:

Answer: creatinine, BUN, and phosphorus are elevated

In renal failure, the kidneys lose their ability to effectively filter waste products from the blood. As a result, metabolic waste products such as creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) accumulate, leading to elevated levels. Additionally, the kidneys are crucial for phosphorus excretion, so phosphorus levels also become elevated (hyperphosphatemia) in patients with impaired kidney function.

Hemodialysis requires a means to channel the patient's blood to the hemodialyzer & then back to the body. It's called:

Answer: vascular access

Vascular access is the essential lifeline for hemodialysis, providing a reliable and efficient means to connect the patient's circulatory system to the dialysis machine. It allows for the continuous removal of blood, its passage through the dialyzer for waste removal and fluid balance, and its safe return to the patient. Without adequate vascular access, effective hemodialysis cannot be performed.

Which of the following is correct regarding a fistula?

Answer: Usually created in the forearm, near the wrist

An arteriovenous (AV) fistula is the preferred type of vascular access for hemodialysis due to its lower complication rates and longer lifespan. It is typically created surgically by connecting an artery and a vein, most commonly in the non-dominant forearm, near the wrist. This surgical connection allows the vein to mature and become strong enough to withstand repeated needle cannulation for dialysis treatments.

Blood leak detectors are extremely sensitive and can determine:

Answer: blood leakage immediately

Blood leak detectors are crucial safety mechanisms integrated into hemodialysis machines. They are designed to be highly sensitive and continuously monitor the dialysate for the presence of blood. Their primary function is to immediately detect even minute amounts of blood that may cross the dialyzer membrane, alerting staff to a potential membrane rupture and preventing blood loss or contamination.

Which of the following foods are high in potassium?

Answer: Bananas, tomatoes, oranges

Patients with kidney disease often need to restrict potassium intake because impaired kidney function can lead to hyperkalemia, a dangerous elevation of potassium in the blood. Bananas, tomatoes, and oranges are well-known examples of foods that are naturally high in potassium. Dietary education is crucial for patients to identify and limit these foods to manage their potassium levels.

What lab values are monitored for assessing bone disease?

Answer: Calcium, phosphorus and PTH

Chronic kidney disease often leads to mineral and bone disorders (CKD-MBD) due to imbalances in mineral metabolism. To assess and manage bone disease, healthcare providers closely monitor serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Imbalances in these three parameters are key indicators of bone health issues in dialysis patients, guiding appropriate treatment decisions.