CHT Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician 5

Question 1

During a hemodialysis treatment, the blood leak detector alarms. The technician should FIRST:

Accepted Answer

Check the dialysate for pink or red discoloration to confirm a membrane rupture

Answer

Confirming blood leak by inspecting dialysate for discoloration is the first step before clamping lines and stopping treatment.

Question 2

Which complication is specifically associated with the use of a tunneled central venous catheter for dialysis access?

Accepted Answer

Catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI)

Answer

Tunneled catheters have the highest infection rate among access types, with CRBSI being the most serious and life-threatening complication.

Question 3

Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome most commonly occurs in:

Accepted Answer

New patients or those with very high pre-dialysis BUN who are dialyzed too aggressively

Answer

Rapid solute removal in uremic patients creates an osmotic gradient causing cerebral edema; it is most common in first dialysis treatments.

Question 4

The minimum acceptable chloramine level in treated dialysis water per AAMI standards is:

Accepted Answer

Less than 0.1 mg/L

Answer

AAMI standards require chloramine levels below 0.1 mg/L in treated water to prevent hemolytic anemia in dialysis patients.

Question 5

The 'rope-ladder' technique for AVF cannulation requires:

Accepted Answer

Rotating needle insertion sites systematically along the full length of the vessel segment

Answer

Rope-ladder technique distributes punctures along the entire usable vessel length, preventing focal aneurysm formation and ensuring even wear.

Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician Exam Practice Test