CCHT Patient Assessment and Monitoring 2

Question 1

At the beginning of a hemodialysis treatment, which of the following assessments should the technician perform before initiating treatment?

Accepted Answer

Obtain vital signs, pre-dialysis weight, assess vascular access, and review the treatment prescription

Answer

Obtain post-dialysis weight only since pre-dialysis weight was measured at last treatment

Answer

Obtain vital signs only; weight can be measured after treatment is initiated

Answer

Review the medication administration record only; clinical assessment is the nurse's responsibility

Question 2

A patient's blood pressure drops from 148/88 mmHg at treatment start to 82/50 mmHg at 90 minutes into dialysis. Which parameter should the technician check first?

Accepted Answer

The ultrafiltration rate and total volume removed so far

Answer

The dialysate temperature setting

Answer

The blood flow rate accuracy

Answer

The dialysate potassium concentration

Question 3

During hemodialysis, a patient complains of severe headache and nausea 2 hours into treatment. Their blood pressure is 185/110 mmHg. What complication should the technician suspect?

Accepted Answer

Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome or hypertensive emergency

Answer

Hypoglycemia

Answer

Catheter infection

Answer

Phosphate binder toxicity

Question 4

During a routine hemodialysis treatment, the venous pressure alarm sounds repeatedly and the reading shows persistently elevated pressure. What is the most likely cause?

Accepted Answer

A clot or kink in the venous blood return line or access

Answer

The dialysate flow rate is too high

Answer

The blood pump speed is set below the prescribed rate

Answer

The dialyzer membrane has ruptured causing back-filtration

Question 5

What does a decrease in the bruit (audible sound) of an arteriovenous fistula suggest?

Accepted Answer

Possible stenosis or early thrombosis of the fistula

Answer

The fistula has matured and is functioning optimally

Answer

Increased blood flow through the fistula from high blood pressure

Answer

Normal variation that does not require reporting

Question 6

At the end of a hemodialysis treatment, which of the following assessments is essential before the patient is discharged?

Accepted Answer

Obtain post-dialysis vital signs, post-dialysis weight, and assess the patient's clinical status for safe discharge

Answer

Confirm the dialyzer reuse count for the next treatment

Answer

Perform a full 12-lead ECG regardless of symptoms

Answer

Obtain a post-dialysis BUN specimen on every patient at every treatment