CHBT Infection Control in Dialysis Units

Question 1

Why are dialysis patients at significantly higher risk for bloodstream infections compared to the general population?

Accepted Answer

Frequent vascular access cannulation, immunosuppression from uremia, and repeated exposure to healthcare environments

Answer

Dialysis patients have impaired immune function due to uremia, repeated needle punctures creating infection entry points, and multiple weekly healthcare contacts increasing exposure. These factors combine to make CRBSI and access infections major causes of morbidity and mortality.

Question 2

What is the most effective single intervention for preventing healthcare-associated infections in a dialysis unit?

Accepted Answer

Hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub before and after patient contact

Answer

Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of infection prevention. The WHO 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene apply: before patient contact, before aseptic tasks, after body fluid exposure, after patient contact, and after contact with patient surroundings.

Question 3

What is the CDC's recommended approach for surface disinfection in dialysis units between patients?

Accepted Answer

Clean all external surfaces of the dialysis machine and chair with an EPA-registered disinfectant between each patient use

Answer

CDC and CMS require EPA-registered hospital disinfectant cleaning of all external machine surfaces, chair, and patient-contact areas between every patient. This includes the blood pump housing, touchscreen, armrests, and IV poles.

Question 4

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) poses a special risk in dialysis units because:

Accepted Answer

HBV can survive on surfaces for up to 7 days and is highly infectious, making environmental contamination a significant transmission route

Answer

HBV is an extremely hardy virus that survives on contaminated surfaces for up to 7 days at room temperature. In dialysis units, blood contamination of surfaces, equipment, and supplies makes environmental cleaning critical. HBV-positive patients must be treated in separate rooms/machines.

Question 5

What is the correct order of donning (putting on) personal protective equipment (PPE) when preparing to assist a dialysis patient with an active wound infection?

Accepted Answer

Gown first, then mask/eye protection, then gloves last

Answer

The correct donning sequence is: gown → mask/respirator → eye protection/face shield → gloves. This ensures that hand contamination from gloves does not contaminate face protection, and the gown is secured before gloves are placed.

CHBT - Certified Hemodialysis Bio-Medical Technician Practice Test

CHBT - Certified Hemodialysis Bio-Medical Technician Practice Test

CHBT Infection Control in Dialysis Units