CDN Dialysis Complications and Emergency Management 2

Question 1

What is the most common cause of intradialytic hypotension?

Accepted Answer

Ultrafiltration rate exceeding plasma refilling rate

Answer

Intradialytic hypotension most commonly occurs when the ultrafiltration rate exceeds the body's ability to refill the intravascular space from interstitial fluid.

Question 2

Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias in a dialysis patient?

Accepted Answer

Hyperkalemia

Answer

Hyperkalemia is the most immediately life-threatening electrolyte abnormality in dialysis patients, capable of causing fatal ventricular arrhythmias.

Question 3

A patient develops fever and shaking chills approximately 45 minutes into hemodialysis. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

Pyrogenic reaction from contaminated dialysate or equipment

Answer

Pyrogenic reactions are caused by bacterial endotoxins in dialysate or equipment, triggering an immune response with fever and rigors.

Question 4

When treating intradialytic hypotension, which intervention should be performed first?

Accepted Answer

Place patient in Trendelenburg position and reduce ultrafiltration

Answer

Placing the patient flat or in Trendelenburg and reducing or stopping ultrafiltration is the immediate first response to intradialytic hypotension.

Question 5

Which dialysis complication is specifically associated with inadequate bicarbonate delivery in the dialysate?

Accepted Answer

Metabolic acidosis

Answer

Inadequate bicarbonate in dialysate fails to correct the chronic metabolic acidosis that accumulates between hemodialysis sessions.

CDN - Certified Dialysis Nurse Practice Test

CDN - Certified Dialysis Nurse Practice Test

CDN Dialysis Complications and Emergency Management 2