CCHT Emergency Preparedness and Procedures 3

Question 1

A dialysis patient with no known seizure history suddenly develops a generalized tonic-clonic seizure during treatment. What is the priority nursing/technician action?

Accepted Answer

Protect the patient from injury, stop dialysis, and call for help

Answer

Administer diazepam IV immediately per standing orders

Answer

Restrain the patient to prevent falls from the dialysis chair

Answer

Increase the blood flow rate to improve cerebral circulation

Question 2

Which of the following dialysis complications requires the technician to stop the blood pump and clamp the lines WITHOUT returning blood to the patient?

Accepted Answer

Suspected hemolysis from contaminated dialysate

Answer

Intradialytic hypotension

Answer

Muscle cramps

Answer

Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome

Question 3

What is the purpose of a disaster plan specific to a dialysis facility?

Accepted Answer

To ensure patient treatments can continue or be safely transferred during facility-wide emergencies

Answer

To outline payroll procedures during emergencies

Answer

To provide instructions for disposing of dialysis equipment during natural disasters

Answer

To document the facility's liability in case of patient harm during an emergency

Question 4

During a fire alarm in the dialysis unit, what is the immediate priority for staff with patients on dialysis?

Accepted Answer

Close fire doors and assess whether evacuation or shelter-in-place is appropriate

Answer

Evacuate all patients from their machines immediately

Answer

Disconnect all dialysis machines from power and proceed to exit

Answer

Continue treatments and wait for the fire department's instructions

Question 5

A hemodialysis patient develops a suspected allergic reaction to the dialyzer membrane with urticaria, bronchospasm, and hypotension. What medication class is the primary treatment?

Accepted Answer

Epinephrine (anaphylaxis protocol)

Answer

Antihypertensives

Answer

Anticoagulants

Answer

Antiarrhythmics

Question 6

What is the purpose of maintaining a patient emergency information binder or card at the dialysis station?

Accepted Answer

To provide critical medical information to emergency responders if a patient requires transfer or emergency care

Answer

To document the patient's insurance billing information for rapid claims submission

Answer

To track the patient's dietary compliance and interdialytic weight gains

Answer

To store signed consent forms for treatment procedures