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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Healthcare

Take the Dialysis Technician Knowledge Test

Sharpen Dialysis Skills with Practice Questions

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting a quiz on Dialysis Technician Knowledge Test.

Are you preparing for a career as a dialysis technician? This Dialysis Technician Knowledge Test quiz offers a targeted assessment of your hemodialysis principles and machine operation skills. It's perfect for students and professionals seeking to refine their expertise in dialysis care. You can easily edit and tailor the questions in our quizzes editor - plus, try the Technician Safety Knowledge Test and Instrumentation Technician Knowledge Test for comprehensive practice.

Which component of a hemodialysis machine functions as the artificial kidney to filter waste products from the blood?
Heparin pump
Dialyzer
Ultrafiltration pump
Blood pump
The dialyzer contains semipermeable membranes that allow diffusion and convection to remove solutes and excess fluid from the blood. It serves as the artificial kidney during hemodialysis.
What parameter does the blood pump on a dialysis machine control?
Dialysate temperature
Dialysate flow rate
Ultrafiltration rate
Blood flow rate
The blood pump regulates the rate at which the patient's blood is drawn through the extracorporeal circuit. It ensures a consistent blood flow rate during treatment.
What is the main purpose of the dialysate solution in hemodialysis?
Measure blood pressure
Remove metabolic wastes and toxins
Supply oxygen to red blood cells
Warm the patient's blood
Dialysate contains electrolytes and buffer components that facilitate diffusion of waste products like urea and creatinine from the blood into the dialysate. It does not directly supply oxygen or measure pressure.
Which universal precaution is essential to prevent infection during dialysis setup?
Wearing two pairs of gloves
Reusing disposable gowns
Proper hand hygiene
Using a face shield at all times
Proper hand hygiene is the most critical universal precaution for preventing cross-contamination and infection. It must be performed before and after patient or equipment contact.
What is the most common long-term vascular access type for chronic hemodialysis?
Peripheral venous cannula
Arteriovenous fistula
Synthetic arteriovenous graft
Tunneled catheter
An arteriovenous fistula is created surgically by connecting an artery to a vein and is the preferred long-term access due to its durability and lower infection rate. Catheters and grafts are used when fistulas are not possible.
What is the primary purpose of priming the extracorporeal circuit with normal saline before initiating dialysis?
Adjust the blood flow rate
Measure transmembrane pressure
Calibrate the conductivity meter
Remove air and sterilant from the circuit
Priming with saline flushes air and any residual sterilant from the bloodlines and dialyzer to prevent air embolism and chemical exposure. It does not calibrate meters or set flow rates.
Which metric is used to quantify the adequacy of a hemodialysis session normalized to patient body water volume?
Kt/V
Urea reduction ratio (URR)
Pre-dialysis BUN
Creatinine clearance
Kt/V expresses dialyzer clearance (K) multiplied by treatment time (t) divided by the patient's volume of distribution for urea (V). It is the standard dose metric in hemodialysis adequacy.
If a patient experiences intradialytic hypotension, which adjustment to the dialysate can help improve hemodynamic stability?
Increase dialysate calcium
Increase dialysate sodium concentration
Increase dialysate bicarbonate
Decrease dialysate sodium concentration
Raising dialysate sodium helps maintain plasma osmolality and supports vascular refilling, reducing the risk of hypotension. Sodium concentration has a more direct effect on fluid shifts than bicarbonate or calcium.
Which chemical is commonly used for daily disinfection of the internal fluid pathways of a dialysis machine?
Glutaraldehyde
Hydrogen peroxide
Isopropyl alcohol
Sodium hypochlorite (bleach)
Dilute sodium hypochlorite solutions are routinely used for daily disinfection to remove biofilm and microbial contamination. Glutaraldehyde is used less frequently due to toxicity and longer contact times.
Heparin is administered during hemodialysis primarily to:
Lower serum potassium levels
Prevent clot formation in the extracorporeal circuit
Increase red blood cell production
Decrease blood viscosity
Heparin potentiates antithrombin III activity, inhibiting thrombin and factor Xa and preventing clot formation in the dialyzer and bloodlines. It does not affect viscosity or potassium directly.
How is the ultrafiltration volume determined for a dialysis session?
By predialysis blood pressure
By ideal body weight
By the hourly urine output
By the difference between pre- and post-dialysis patient weights
Ultrafiltration volume equals the interdialytic weight gain, calculated as pre-dialysis weight minus post-dialysis weight from the previous session. This targets fluid removal to reach dry weight.
During vascular access assessment, palpation of a thrill over an arteriovenous fistula indicates:
Patency and adequate blood flow
Venous stenosis
Impending aneurysm formation
Infection at the access site
A palpable thrill signifies that blood is flowing through the fistula at high velocity, indicating patency. Absence of thrill suggests stenosis or thrombosis.
Which machine component continuously measures dialysate ionic strength to ensure correct electrolyte concentration?
Conductivity meter
Pressure monitor
Flow rate sensor
Blood leak detector
The conductivity meter checks the electrical conductance of the dialysate, which correlates with its ionic concentration, ensuring correct electrolyte composition. Other sensors monitor different parameters.
What role does bicarbonate play in the dialysate solution?
Controls dialysate temperature
Prevents clotting in the circuit
Removes excess potassium
Acts as a buffer to correct metabolic acidosis
Bicarbonate in the dialysate diffuses into the patient's blood to neutralize metabolic acids, correcting acidosis commonly seen in renal failure. It does not directly affect potassium removal or clotting.
The air detector in the venous line of a dialysis machine is designed to:
Stop the blood pump to prevent air embolism
Monitor dialysate temperature
Measure ultrafiltration volume
Alert for low blood flow rate
The venous air detector senses air bubbles in the returning blood line and stops the blood pump immediately to prevent dangerous air embolism. It does not measure flow or temperature.
For a patient with severe hyperkalemia undergoing dialysis, which dialysate potassium concentration is most appropriate?
2.0 mEq/L
4.0 mEq/L
1.0 mEq/L
3.0 mEq/L
Using a low-potassium dialysate (1.0 mEq/L) maximizes diffusion of potassium from the patient's blood into the dialysate, helping to correct severe hyperkalemia safely.
A progressively rising transmembrane pressure (TMP) during a hemodialysis session most likely indicates:
Excessively cold dialysate
High dialysate conductivity
Clotting or fouling of the dialyzer fibers
Low blood flow rate
An increasing TMP signifies resistance to ultrafiltration, often caused by clot formation or protein fouling on the membrane. Temperature or conductivity changes do not directly raise TMP.
To minimize the risk of dialysis disequilibrium syndrome in new patients, the best practice is to:
Use lower blood flow and ultrafiltration rates initially
Perform very rapid fluid removal
Limit session duration to less than 2 hours
Increase dialysate bicarbonate to high levels
Slower blood flow and gentler ultrafiltration reduce rapid osmotic shifts in the brain that cause disequilibrium syndrome. Extremely rapid fluid removal or short sessions without rate adjustment exacerbate risk.
When using regional citrate anticoagulation during dialysis, which laboratory value must be closely monitored to avoid complications?
Ionized calcium
Prothrombin time
Serum magnesium
Serum sodium
Citrate binds calcium to prevent clotting in the circuit; monitoring ionized calcium ensures systemic levels remain safe and prevents hypocalcemia. Other electrolytes and clotting times are less directly affected.
Which cannulation technique involves creating a track by repeatedly using the exact same needle path to reduce vessel trauma?
Buttonhole technique
Area puncture technique
Rope ladder technique
Stepladder technique
The buttonhole technique uses the same puncture site and angle each session, forming a healed 'tunnel' for blunt needles and reducing vessel wall damage. Rope ladder and stepladder rotate sites.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify key components of hemodialysis equipment.
  2. Demonstrate proper setup and operation of dialysis machines.
  3. Analyse patient parameters to adjust dialysate settings.
  4. Apply infection control and safety protocols in dialysis.
  5. Evaluate anticoagulation and fluid management strategies.
  6. Master best practices for vascular access care.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Know Your Hemodialysis Gear - Dive deep into the inner workings of the dialyzer, bloodlines, and the dialysis machine. It's like learning the names and powers of your favorite superheroes, except here they team up to filter toxins from blood instead of fighting villains. Understanding how each part interacts keeps treatment smooth and safe. Hemodialysis - National Kidney Foundation
  2. Dialysis Machine Setup Mastery - Get your sleeves rolled up and secure every connection while calibrating the machine like a pro. Imagine you're a musician tuning instruments before a big concert - precision is key to hitting all the right notes in patient care. A flawless setup paves the way for a flawless treatment. Hemodialysis - National Kidney Foundation
  3. Track Patient Parameters Like a Detective - Keep a close eye on blood pressure, weight changes, and lab values to tailor dialysate settings. Picture yourself as a crime scene investigator piecing together clues to maintain patient balance. Accurate adjustments make the difference between "so-so" and "spot-on" treatments. Hemodialysis - National Kidney Foundation
  4. Infection Control Champion - Suit up in your invisible armor - proper hand hygiene and rigorous equipment disinfection. These steps are like the force field that shields patients from unwanted microbial invaders. Stick to protocols, and you'll be the hero who stops infections in their tracks. Preventing Bloodstream Infections in People on Dialysis | VitalSigns | CDC
  5. Anticoagulation Strategy Guru - Master the art of using heparin and other anticoagulants to keep the circuit clot-free. Think of it as maintaining a rain-free picnic by knowing exactly when to pop open the umbrella. Monitoring for side effects ensures a safe and seamless dialysis session. Hemodialysis - National Kidney Foundation
  6. Fluid Balance Detective - Hone your skills in fluid management to prevent overload or dehydration. It's like playing a seesaw with water - too much or too little, and things tip off balance. Spot clinical signs early, and you'll keep patients hydrated without the drama. Hemodialysis - National Kidney Foundation
  7. Vascular Access Care Pro - Become an expert at checking fistulas, grafts, and catheters for signs of trouble. Picture yourself as a traffic controller, directing blood flow safely through each access point. Proper cannulation and ongoing checks help avoid roadblocks and detours during treatment. Best Practices for Bloodstream Infection Prevention in Dialysis Setting | Dialysis Safety | CDC
  8. Empower Patients Through Education - Teach patients hand hygiene, infection warning signs, and self-care tricks. When patients feel confident, they're like co-pilots on their healthcare journey. Clear instructions reduce anxiety and help catch issues before they escalate. Preventing Bloodstream Infections in People on Dialysis | VitalSigns | CDC
  9. Master Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols - Stay on top of guidelines for cleaning each component of the dialysis machine. Approach it like a scientist in a lab, ensuring every surface is free from contamination. Consistent disinfection routines are your secret weapon for patient safety. Best Practices for Bloodstream Infection Prevention in Dialysis Setting | Dialysis Safety | CDC
  10. Spot Dialysis Complications Early - Learn to quickly identify hypotension, cramps, and early infection signs during treatment. Imagine you're on a lookout tower, scanning the horizon for storm clouds before they hit. Prompt interventions turn potential emergencies into manageable adjustments. Hemodialysis - National Kidney Foundation
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