FREE CCHT Role Responsibilities Test 2
What can dialysis staff do to reduce the risk of being infected with a blood-borne pathogen?
To reduce the risk of being infected with a bloodborne pathogen in a hemodialysis setting, dialysis staff should adhere to multiple safety protocols:
*Proper hand washing: Ensuring hands are washed thoroughly and frequently with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
*Universal precautions: Treating all patients' blood and body fluids as potentially infectious. This includes using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection.
*Proper sharps disposal: Ensuring needles and other sharps are disposed of in puncture-resistant containers immediately after use to prevent accidental needlestick injuries.
Which of the following affects access recirculation?
Access recirculation in hemodialysis refers to the phenomenon where dialyzed blood returns to the bloodstream through vascular access instead of being adequately filtered. Several factors can contribute to access recirculation:
*Distance between the tips of the needles: If the needles are too close together, blood from the arterial needle may return to the venous needle without passing through the dialyzer, leading to recirculation.
*Presence of stenosis: Narrowing or stenosis in the vascular access can restrict blood flow, increasing the likelihood of recirculation.
*Direction of needles: Incorrect placement or angulation of the needles can affect blood flow patterns and contribute to recirculation.
The technician observes that the hardness reading after the water softener is above the acceptable limit. The technician should check the softener tank's level of:
In a hemodialysis water treatment system, hardness refers to the concentration of calcium and magnesium ions, which can affect the quality of dialysis water. A water softener is used to remove these ions by exchanging them with sodium ions from salt. If the hardness reading after the water softener is above the acceptable limit, it suggests that the water softener may need regeneration or that the salt level in the softener tank might be insufficient.
Which of the following are ways to handle chemicals safely?
Handling chemicals safely in a healthcare setting, including a hemodialysis unit, requires adherence to several important practices:
*Wash hands before eating or drinking: This helps prevent ingestion of chemicals that may have been transferred to the hands during handling.
*Wear protective clothing: This includes gloves, goggles, aprons, or other protective gear as necessary to minimize skin contact or inhalation of hazardous substances.
*Don't eat or drink in the work area: This reduces the risk of accidental ingestion of chemicals and ensures that contamination of food or beverages does not occur.
A technician observes all of the following in the hemodialysis unit. Which one poses an environmental risk?
In a hemodialysis unit, spills of fluid on the floor pose an environmental risk because they can lead to slips, falls, and potential contamination if not promptly cleaned up. Fluid spills may contain blood or other bodily fluids, which can harbor pathogens and pose infection risks to patients and staff. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain a clean and safe environment by promptly cleaning up spills and ensuring that floors are dry and free from hazards.
The technician's role in patient teaching should be to:
In the context of patient teaching, it is essential for the technician to determine the patient's learning needs. This involves assessing what the patient already knows, identifying gaps in knowledge, and understanding the individual's readiness and ability to learn. By determining the patient's learning needs, the technician can tailor educational strategies and materials to meet those specific needs effectively. This approach ensures that education is targeted and relevant, enhancing the patient's understanding and ability to manage their condition.
What is the correct angle at which to cannulate a fistula?
The correct angle for cannulating a fistula is typically between 25 to 35 degrees. Cannulation refers to the insertion of needles into the vascular access (such as an arteriovenous fistula or graft) for hemodialysis treatment. The angle is important because it affects the placement of the needle within the blood vessel, ensuring proper blood flow during dialysis. A too-shallow angle may cause the needle to be too close to the vessel wall, potentially leading to infiltration or inadequate blood flow. On the other hand, a too-steep angle may increase the risk of puncturing through the vessel wall.
During hemodialysis, a patient goes into cardiac arrest. Which of these actions should be taken first?
In the event of cardiac arrest during hemodialysis, immediate action is critical. The first step should be to call for help, summoning additional healthcare providers who can assist in providing advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and initiating emergency protocols.
While it is important to act swiftly, performing a precordial thump (option a) is not recommended as the initial action for cardiac arrest in a healthcare setting. Instead, trained personnel should begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) immediately if indicated, followed by other appropriate interventions as per ACLS guidelines.
You test for sterilant levels in a hemodialysis machine prior to patient use. The test is positive for sterilant. This means the machine:
While a positive test for sterilant indicates that sterilization has occurred, residual sterilant can be harmful if not adequately rinsed off. Therefore, further rinsing is necessary to remove any remaining chemical residues before the machine can be used for patient treatment.
Which of the following best describes the reason for wearing gloves when handling a machine prior to blood?
Universal precautions emphasize the use of protective measures, such as gloves, to prevent the transmission of bloodborne pathogens and ensure overall infection control.
Prior to each patient shift, it would be essential to perform a water quality check for which of these substances?
Prior to each patient shift, it is essential to perform a water quality check for chlorine and chloramine. Chlorine and chloramine are disinfectants commonly used in water treatment systems. Their presence in dialysis water must be monitored closely because they can adversely affect dialysis patients if present in excess amounts. Chlorine and chloramine levels are critical parameters in water quality testing to ensure that dialysis water meets safety standards and does not pose risks to patients undergoing treatment.