CCHT Study Guide 2026

Chest pain and shortness of breath during dialysis may indicate air embolism, cardiac event, hemolysis, or pulmonary edema, all emergencies requiring immediate nursing assessment.

Rising venous pressures over time indicate increasing outflow resistance, most commonly from stenosis at or near the venous anastomosis of an AVG.

Despite the availability of various modalities, daytime in-center hemodialysis remains the most prevalent treatment option for patients with end-stage kidney disease in the United States. This is often due to factors like patient preference, medical suitability, social support, and insurance coverage. It provides structured care in a supervised clinical environment.

Failing kidneys are unable to excrete phosphorus effectively, leading to high serum phosphorus (hyperphosphatemia). The high phosphorus levels and lack of activated Vitamin D lead to low serum calcium (hypocalcemia).

Pink/clear blood (hemolyzed blood) indicates massive hemolysis, a life-threatening dialysis emergency where red blood cells are being destroyed.

Pink dialysate with pain indicates membrane rupture with potential blood leakage into dialysate or severe hemolysis, an emergency requiring immediate treatment termination.