Dialysis Equipment and Troubleshooting Flashcards
6 cards from real CHT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Dialysis Equipment and Troubleshooting flashcards as text
Which alarm on a hemodialysis machine requires the technician to immediately clamp the blood lines and stop the blood pump?
Answer: Air detector alarm
An air detector alarm signals air in the venous line, requiring immediate clamping and stopping the blood pump to prevent an air embolism.
What does a high transmembrane pressure (TMP) alarm during dialysis typically indicate?
Answer: Clotting in the dialyzer
Elevated TMP often indicates clotting within the dialyzer fibers, increasing resistance to ultrafiltration.
A venous pressure alarm that is consistently low may indicate which problem?
Answer: Needle dislodgement from the access
A consistently low venous pressure can indicate that the venous needle has dislodged from the access, reducing resistance in the return line.
What is the purpose of the dialysate bypass system on a hemodialysis machine?
Answer: Route dialysate past the dialyzer when an alarm condition is detected
The bypass system diverts dialysate away from the dialyzer when temperature, conductivity, or other alarms occur, protecting the patient from harmful dialysate.
Which type of dialyzer membrane is made from synthetic polymer and is generally more biocompatible than cellulosic membranes?
Answer: Polysulfone
Polysulfone is a high-flux synthetic membrane with superior biocompatibility compared to cellulosic membranes.
What does KUF (ultrafiltration coefficient) measure in a dialyzer?
Answer: Volume of fluid removed per hour per mmHg of TMP
KUF expresses how many milliliters of fluid the dialyzer removes per hour for each mmHg of transmembrane pressure applied.