Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician Exam Dialysis Complications and Emergency Management 3

Question 1

Which of the following dialysate abnormalities is most likely to cause acute hemolysis in dialysis patients?

Accepted Answer

Hypo-osmolar dialysate (low sodium or diluted dialysate)

Answer

Hypo-osmolar dialysate causes osmotic lysis of red blood cells as water moves into the cells, resulting in acute hemolysis which can be fatal.

Question 2

Pyrogenic reactions during hemodialysis are characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Fever, chills, and rigors occurring 30-90 minutes into treatment, with no positive blood culture required

Answer

Pyrogenic reactions caused by endotoxin exposure present with fever, chills, and rigors typically 30-90 minutes into dialysis and do not require bacteremia to occur.

Question 3

In the event of a power failure during hemodialysis, the most critical immediate action is:

Accepted Answer

Manually return blood to the patient using the hand crank or gravity return protocol

Answer

Power failure stops the blood pump, risking circuit clotting; blood must be returned immediately using manual hand crank or gravity protocols before clotting occurs.

Question 4

A patient becomes unresponsive with a pulse during dialysis. After calling for help, the next priority is:

Accepted Answer

Stop ultrafiltration, reduce blood flow, position flat, assess airway and initiate emergency response

Answer

An unresponsive patient requires immediate airway assessment, stopping ultrafiltration, positioning supine, and activating the emergency response system.

Question 5

Which vital sign measurement is MOST important to obtain before initiating each hemodialysis treatment?

Accepted Answer

Pre-treatment weight, blood pressure, pulse, respirations, and temperature

Answer

A complete set of pre-treatment vitals (weight, BP, pulse, respirations, temperature) establishes the baseline needed to calculate ultrafiltration goals and detect changes during treatment.

Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician Exam Practice Test

Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician Exam Practice Test

Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician Exam Dialysis Complications and Emergency Management 3