Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician Exam Infection Control and Patient Safety in Dialysis 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which bloodborne pathogen is most commonly transmitted in hemodialysis units due to shared equipment and environmental contamination?
- HIV
- Hepatitis B virus (HBV) (Correct answer)
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV)
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Correct answer: Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
Hepatitis B virus is the most efficiently transmitted bloodborne pathogen in dialysis units due to its high environmental stability and ability to survive on surfaces for days.
Question 2: CDC guidelines recommend that hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive patients in dialysis units should:
- Be treated in the same area as all other patients
- Be dialyzed in a separate room or area with dedicated equipment (Correct answer)
- Not receive hemodialysis
- Only be dialyzed using peritoneal dialysis
Correct answer: Be dialyzed in a separate room or area with dedicated equipment
HBsAg-positive patients must be isolated in a separate room or bay with dedicated machines, supplies, and staff to prevent HBV transmission to susceptible patients.
Question 3: Which hand hygiene product is NOT effective against Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) spores?
- Soap and water
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer (Correct answer)
- Chlorhexidine scrub
- Povidone-iodine scrub
Correct answer: Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not kill C. difficile spores; soap and water with mechanical friction is required to physically remove spores from hands.
Question 4: The minimum frequency for cleaning and disinfecting dialysis station surfaces (chair, machine, supplies) between patients is:
- Once per week
- Once per day at shift end
- After each patient use, before the next patient is seated (Correct answer)
- After every third patient
Correct answer: After each patient use, before the next patient is seated
Dialysis station surfaces must be cleaned and disinfected after each patient to prevent cross-contamination of bloodborne pathogens to the next patient.
Question 5: Standard precautions in hemodialysis require which personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling blood-contaminated items?
- Gloves only
- Gloves and gown for all blood exposures; mask and eye protection when splashing is likely (Correct answer)
- N95 mask for all procedures
- No PPE needed for routine care
Correct answer: Gloves and gown for all blood exposures; mask and eye protection when splashing is likely
Standard precautions require gloves for all blood contact, with gown, mask, and eye protection added when blood splash or spraying is anticipated.
Question 6: A dialysis technician accidentally sustains a needlestick injury from a patient's used hemodialysis needle. The FIRST action should be:
- Apply a tourniquet above the injury
- Immediately wash the wound with soap and water, then report the exposure (Correct answer)
- Apply alcohol and continue working
- Wait to see if symptoms develop before reporting
Correct answer: Immediately wash the wound with soap and water, then report the exposure
Immediate washing with soap and water removes contaminants from the wound; prompt reporting is mandatory for exposure evaluation, source patient testing, and post-exposure prophylaxis.
Certified Hemodialysis Technologist/Technician Exam Infection Control and Patient Safety in Dialysis 1
Which bloodborne pathogen is most commonly transmitted in hemodialysis units due to shared equipment and environmental contamination?