CCHT Emergency Preparedness and Procedures 2

Question 1

During hemodialysis, a patient develops sudden severe chest pain and shortness of breath. Which emergency condition should the technician consider first?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary embolism or cardiac event

Answer

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.

Question 2

What is the immediate action a hemodialysis technician should take if a blood leak is detected in the dialysate circuit?

Accepted Answer

Clamp the blood lines and notify the nurse immediately

Answer

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.

Question 3

In the event of a power failure during hemodialysis, what is the priority action for the hemodialysis technician?

Accepted Answer

Immediately clamp all lines and prepare to return blood using manual techniques

Answer

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.

Question 4

A patient receiving hemodialysis develops sudden loss of consciousness and is unresponsive. What is the first step in the emergency response?

Accepted Answer

Call for help and activate the emergency response system (call code)

Answer

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.

Question 5

What is the correct patient position for treating hypotension during hemodialysis?

Accepted Answer

Trendelenburg (legs elevated, head down)

Answer

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.

CCHT - Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician Practice Test

CCHT - Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician Practice Test

CCHT Emergency Preparedness and Procedures 2