Hemodialysis Technologist Flashcards
7 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 7 Hemodialysis Technologist flashcards as text
Which type of vascular access is considered the 'gold standard' for hemodialysis?
Answer: Arteriovenous fistula
An arteriovenous (AV) fistula is the preferred access because it has lower infection rates and longer patency than grafts or catheters.
A patient's pre-dialysis BUN is 80 mg/dL and post-dialysis BUN is 20 mg/dL. What is the URR?
Answer: 75%
URR = (pre-BUN − post-BUN) / pre-BUN × 100 = (80 − 20) / 80 × 100 = 75%.
When priming a dialyzer with normal saline, what is the primary purpose?
Answer: Remove air and reprocessing chemicals from the circuit
Priming flushes air and any residual disinfectant from the extracorporeal circuit before connecting the patient.
Which electrolyte imbalance is MOST commonly associated with muscle cramps during hemodialysis?
Answer: Hypocalcemia
Hypocalcemia causes neuromuscular irritability that manifests as muscle cramps during dialysis.
What does the term 'Kt/V' measure in hemodialysis adequacy?
Answer: Urea clearance normalized to body water volume
Kt/V quantifies urea clearance (K × time) divided by the patient's urea distribution volume (V); a value ≥1.2 per treatment is the KDOQI minimum.
A patient suddenly develops chest pain, shortness of breath, and hypotension 15 minutes into treatment. The FIRST action should be to:
Answer: Return blood to the patient and stop treatment
Suspected acute reactions require immediate termination of dialysis and return of blood to the patient to stabilize the patient.
What is the normal range for dialysate sodium concentration used in most adult hemodialysis treatments?
Answer: 135–145 mEq/L
Dialysate sodium is typically set between 135–145 mEq/L to match normal plasma sodium and prevent osmotic imbalances.