CHBT Alarm Systems and Emergency Response 2

Question 1

A patient develops sudden rigors (shaking chills) and high fever 20 minutes into hemodialysis. This is most consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Pyrogenic reaction from endotoxin contamination in the dialysate or water

Answer

Pyrogenic reactions (fever, rigors, hypotension) occurring early in dialysis are caused by bacterial endotoxins or gram-negative bacteria in contaminated water or dialysate. Treatment must be stopped, the water system investigated, and the patient managed supportively.

Question 2

What is the 'venous pressure alarm' high limit designed to detect in a hemodialysis circuit?

Accepted Answer

Obstruction in the venous return line such as a kinked tube, clotted filter, or access stenosis

Answer

A high venous pressure alarm indicates resistance to blood returning to the patient. Common causes include a kinked venous line, clotted venous chamber, needle malposition, or access stenosis. It must be investigated promptly to prevent circuit rupture.

Question 3

When a patient reports sudden severe back pain and difficulty breathing during hemodialysis, the technician should consider:

Accepted Answer

Acute hemolysis from a dialysate error, and treatment should be stopped immediately

Answer

Sudden back/chest pain with respiratory distress during dialysis should raise concern for acute hemolysis (from hypo-osmolar or overheated dialysate), air embolism, or anaphylaxis. Treatment must be stopped and blood must NOT be returned in hemolysis. Emergency response is required.

Question 4

The arterial pressure alarm (low limit) on a hemodialysis machine is triggered. What does this most commonly indicate?

Accepted Answer

Inadequate blood flow from the access, such as needle malposition, access stenosis, or hypotension

Answer

Low arterial pressure indicates the blood pump is not getting enough blood from the access. This may be due to needle malposition, access dysfunction, patient hypotension, or the patient rolling onto the access. It must be corrected to maintain adequate treatment delivery.

Question 5

What is a 'concentrate alarm' on a hemodialysis machine?

Accepted Answer

An alert indicating the acid or bicarbonate concentrate container is empty or improperly connected

Answer

Hemodialysis machines mix two concentrates (acid and bicarbonate) with purified water to create dialysate. A concentrate alarm means one or both containers are empty, misconnected, or the conductivity cannot reach target, triggering automatic dialysate bypass to protect the patient.

CHBT - Certified Hemodialysis Bio-Medical Technician Practice Test

CHBT - Certified Hemodialysis Bio-Medical Technician Practice Test

CHBT Alarm Systems and Emergency Response 2