CDN Dialysis Complications and Emergency Management

Question 1

A patient on hemodialysis suddenly develops nausea, headache, and altered consciousness near the end of treatment. What condition should the nurse suspect?

Accepted Answer

Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome

Answer

Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome (DDS) occurs due to rapid solute removal causing osmotic cerebral edema, typically in new or high-BUN patients.

Question 2

What is the first action when an air embolism is suspected during hemodialysis?

Accepted Answer

Administer 100% oxygen and clamp the venous line

Answer

Clamping the venous blood line immediately stops air from entering the patient while 100% oxygen helps reabsorb nitrogen bubbles.

Question 3

A patient develops pink-tinged blood in the dialysate port during hemodialysis. What does this most likely indicate?

Accepted Answer

Dialyzer membrane leak

Answer

Pink or red-tinged dialysate indicates a dialyzer membrane rupture, which can allow blood to leak into the dialysate compartment.

Question 4

Intradialytic hypotension is most effectively prevented by which of the following interventions?

Accepted Answer

Limiting the ultrafiltration rate to ≤13 mL/kg/hour

Answer

Limiting ultrafiltration to ≤13 mL/kg/hour reduces the rate of fluid removal, allowing adequate plasma refilling and preventing hemodynamic instability.

Question 5

Which set of symptoms is most consistent with a Type A hypersensitivity reaction to the dialyzer?

Accepted Answer

Burning, flushing, dyspnea, and anaphylaxis in the first few minutes

Answer

Type A (anaphylactic) reactions occur within the first few minutes of dialysis due to IgE-mediated sensitivity to ETO sterilization or membrane components.

CDN - Certified Dialysis Nurse Practice Test

CDN - Certified Dialysis Nurse Practice Test

CDN Dialysis Complications and Emergency Management