Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician Exam Vascular Access Management 1

Question 1

Which type of vascular access is considered the gold standard for chronic hemodialysis?

Accepted Answer

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF)

Answer

Tunneled central venous catheter

Answer

Non-tunneled catheter

Answer

Arteriovenous graft (AVG)

Question 2

What is the minimum blood flow rate that a mature arteriovenous fistula should be able to support for adequate hemodialysis?

Accepted Answer

350 mL/min

Answer

100 mL/min

Answer

200 mL/min

Answer

600 mL/min

Question 3

Where should the arterial needle be placed in relation to the venous needle when cannulating an AV fistula?

Accepted Answer

At least 2–3 cm upstream from venous needle (toward access)

Answer

Downstream from venous needle (toward heart)

Answer

Adjacent to the venous needle

Answer

In the opposite arm

Question 4

A thrill that is weak or absent at the AV fistula site most likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Stenosis or thrombosis of the fistula

Answer

High fistula blood flow

Answer

Successful maturation

Answer

Infiltration of the access

Question 5

What is the primary advantage of the buttonhole (constant-site) cannulation technique?

Accepted Answer

Reduced aneurysm formation and less pain with cannulation

Answer

Higher blood flow rates

Answer

Better clearance of middle molecules

Answer

Faster access maturation

Question 6

Which complication is most commonly associated with tunneled central venous catheters used for hemodialysis?

Accepted Answer

Catheter-related bloodstream infection

Answer

Pseudoaneurysm

Answer

Steal syndrome

Answer

Aneurysm formation