Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician Exam Dialysis Complications and Emergency Management 2

Question 1

A patient receiving hemodialysis begins experiencing chest pain, back pain, and the dialysate appears pink-tinged. The most likely cause is:

Accepted Answer

Dialyzer membrane rupture causing a blood leak

Answer

Pink-tinged dialysate with chest/back pain is a classic presentation of dialyzer membrane rupture, where blood leaks across the membrane into the dialysate.

Question 2

When a blood leak detector alarm activates on the dialysis machine, the correct action is to:

Accepted Answer

Visually inspect the dialysate line and dialyzer; if confirmed, return blood only if safe or discard and use new dialyzer

Answer

A blood leak alarm requires visual confirmation; if confirmed, facility policy typically requires discarding the dialyzer to prevent blood-borne pathogen exposure through the dialysate.

Question 3

Which electrolyte imbalance is most likely to cause cardiac arrhythmias during hemodialysis?

Accepted Answer

Hyperkalemia

Answer

Hyperkalemia is the most common life-threatening electrolyte disorder in ESRD patients and can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias if not corrected with dialysis.

Question 4

A patient on hemodialysis develops sudden shortness of breath, chest tightness, and hives during treatment. This presentation most suggests:

Accepted Answer

Anaphylactic reaction to dialyzer or blood tubing

Answer

Sudden dyspnea, chest tightness, and urticaria are classic signs of anaphylaxis requiring immediate treatment cessation and emergency intervention.

Question 5

The correct dialysate sodium concentration to help prevent intradialytic hypotension in a hemodynamically unstable patient is typically:

Accepted Answer

135-145 mEq/L (isotonic to slightly higher)

Answer

Isotonic to slightly higher dialysate sodium (135-145 mEq/L) supports osmotic stability and helps maintain hemodynamic stability during dialysis.

Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician Exam Practice Test

Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician Exam Practice Test

Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician Exam Dialysis Complications and Emergency Management 2