Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician Exam Vascular Access Management 3

Question 1

A patient's AV fistula has a bruit that has changed from soft and continuous to harsh and high-pitched. This change suggests:

Accepted Answer

Development of a stenosis in the access

Answer

Increased blood flow from successful maturation

Answer

Normal variation with blood pressure changes

Answer

Fistula thrombosis

Question 2

When applying post-dialysis compression to an AV fistula site, how long should pressure typically be maintained?

Accepted Answer

5–10 minutes

Answer

1–2 minutes

Answer

15–20 minutes

Answer

30–40 minutes

Question 3

Which AV graft material is most commonly used for hemodialysis access today?

Accepted Answer

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE)

Answer

Dacron

Answer

Bovine carotid artery

Answer

Silicone

Question 4

What does 'dynamic venous pressure monitoring' during dialysis help detect?

Accepted Answer

Outflow stenosis in the venous segment of an access

Answer

Air embolism

Answer

Clotting in the dialyzer

Answer

Patient hypotension

Question 5

A tunneled dialysis catheter is locked with which solution between dialysis sessions to maintain patency?

Accepted Answer

Heparin or citrate locking solution

Answer

Normal saline only

Answer

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)

Answer

Antibiotic solution

Question 6

Which complication is characterized by swelling of the entire arm on the side of an AV access?

Accepted Answer

Central venous stenosis

Answer

Steal syndrome

Answer

Access thrombosis

Answer

Aneurysm