Fresenius PCT Certification Study Guide |
Authentic Exam Questions and Expert
Answers with Detailed Solutions 2026/2027
(Already Passed A+)
• characteristics of chronic kidney disease (CKD) -✓✓-develops slowly
-progresses over time
-permanent/irreversible
-main causes of CKD include diabetes (#1 cause), and hypertension
• characteristics of acute kidney injury (AKI) -✓✓-sudden onset
-possible recovery timeframe of 180 days
-can be reversed
-main causes of AKI include accident/trauma, infection (COVID, sepsis), and
toxins
• what eGFR requires dialysis? -✓✓eGFR of less than 15
• what are the main functions of the kidney? -✓✓-produce hormones (EPO,
vitamin D)
-filter waste and toxins (urea, creatinine)
-maintain fluid and electrolyte balance (K+, Na+, Ca+)
• what are some symptoms of renal failure? -✓✓-fatigue
-poor appetite
-SOB
-change in urination
-difficulty concentrating
• parts of the urinary system include -✓✓kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra
• treatment options for patients with CKD or AKI include -✓✓1. incenter
hemodialysis
2. home dialysis
3. peritoneal dialysis
4. renal transplant
,5. palliative care
• what vessel pulls blood? -✓✓arterial
• what vessel returns/gives blood? -✓✓venous
• blood is _______, and dialysate is ________ -✓✓sterile, clean
• types of vascular accesses -✓✓-arteriovenous fistula (AVF)
-arteriovenous graft (AVG)
-central venous catheter (CVC)
• characteristics of an AVF -✓✓-surgical connection between an artery and vein
-"gold standard" access
-can be created within the wrist, arm, forearm, and thigh
-6-12 week maturity period before 1st cannulation
-no risk of allergic reaction, lowest rate of infection/complication
-long lifespan
• the surgical connection between the vessels of a fistula is called -✓✓anastomosis
• characteristics of an AVG -✓✓-synthetic, biosimilar tube placed in the body
-typically placed in the forearm, upper arm, thigh, necklace
-doesn't take long to mature
-can wear out over time
-higher risk of thrombosis*
-elevated risk of allergic reaction
-can be used 24 hours after placement (with sterile technique)
-can be cannulated with a 16g needle after 4 weeks
• characteristics of central venous catheter -✓✓-access that includes a tube being
placed into a central vein
-typically placed in the jugular, subclavian, or femoral veins
-high rate of infection
-highest rate of morbidity/mortality of ALL accesses
• how long should you wash your hands with soap and water for? -✓✓40-60
seconds
, • how long should you rub your hands with alcohol based rub for? -✓✓20-30
seconds
• PPE requirements when on the treatment floor -✓✓-gown
-face shield/protective eyewear
-mask
-gloves
• when to change gloves and perform hand hygiene -✓✓-going from dirty area to
clean area
-going from machine to patient or machine to machine
-if gloves are visibly soiled
-working with c. diff patient
-after going bathroom
-before eating
• precautions to take in dialysis -✓✓-approach ALL patients as infectious/sanitize
everything
-all blood, fluid, tissues, needles, sharps ARE contaminated
-all used treatment equipment/supplies ARE contaminated
• hepatitis b characteristics -✓✓-HIGHLY contagious virus that affects the liver
-spread through infected blood and body fluids
-can live for 7 days on surfaces
-often spread through cross contamination
-hep b Ab > 10 = immunity
-hep b Ab < 10 = susceptible
• how to stop spread of hepatitis b -✓✓-test for hepatitis b antigen
-patients who are immune can be placed in buffer zone (chairs outside the isolation
room)
-techs and nurses can ONLY work with hepatitis b immune patients if caring for a
hepatitis b positive patient
-place positive patients in the isolation (ISO) room
• disinfection process and bleach -✓✓-1:100 bleach = 1 part bleach to 99 parts
water
-1:10 bleach = 1 part bleach to 9 parts water
Authentic Exam Questions and Expert
Answers with Detailed Solutions 2026/2027
(Already Passed A+)
• characteristics of chronic kidney disease (CKD) -✓✓-develops slowly
-progresses over time
-permanent/irreversible
-main causes of CKD include diabetes (#1 cause), and hypertension
• characteristics of acute kidney injury (AKI) -✓✓-sudden onset
-possible recovery timeframe of 180 days
-can be reversed
-main causes of AKI include accident/trauma, infection (COVID, sepsis), and
toxins
• what eGFR requires dialysis? -✓✓eGFR of less than 15
• what are the main functions of the kidney? -✓✓-produce hormones (EPO,
vitamin D)
-filter waste and toxins (urea, creatinine)
-maintain fluid and electrolyte balance (K+, Na+, Ca+)
• what are some symptoms of renal failure? -✓✓-fatigue
-poor appetite
-SOB
-change in urination
-difficulty concentrating
• parts of the urinary system include -✓✓kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra
• treatment options for patients with CKD or AKI include -✓✓1. incenter
hemodialysis
2. home dialysis
3. peritoneal dialysis
4. renal transplant
,5. palliative care
• what vessel pulls blood? -✓✓arterial
• what vessel returns/gives blood? -✓✓venous
• blood is _______, and dialysate is ________ -✓✓sterile, clean
• types of vascular accesses -✓✓-arteriovenous fistula (AVF)
-arteriovenous graft (AVG)
-central venous catheter (CVC)
• characteristics of an AVF -✓✓-surgical connection between an artery and vein
-"gold standard" access
-can be created within the wrist, arm, forearm, and thigh
-6-12 week maturity period before 1st cannulation
-no risk of allergic reaction, lowest rate of infection/complication
-long lifespan
• the surgical connection between the vessels of a fistula is called -✓✓anastomosis
• characteristics of an AVG -✓✓-synthetic, biosimilar tube placed in the body
-typically placed in the forearm, upper arm, thigh, necklace
-doesn't take long to mature
-can wear out over time
-higher risk of thrombosis*
-elevated risk of allergic reaction
-can be used 24 hours after placement (with sterile technique)
-can be cannulated with a 16g needle after 4 weeks
• characteristics of central venous catheter -✓✓-access that includes a tube being
placed into a central vein
-typically placed in the jugular, subclavian, or femoral veins
-high rate of infection
-highest rate of morbidity/mortality of ALL accesses
• how long should you wash your hands with soap and water for? -✓✓40-60
seconds
, • how long should you rub your hands with alcohol based rub for? -✓✓20-30
seconds
• PPE requirements when on the treatment floor -✓✓-gown
-face shield/protective eyewear
-mask
-gloves
• when to change gloves and perform hand hygiene -✓✓-going from dirty area to
clean area
-going from machine to patient or machine to machine
-if gloves are visibly soiled
-working with c. diff patient
-after going bathroom
-before eating
• precautions to take in dialysis -✓✓-approach ALL patients as infectious/sanitize
everything
-all blood, fluid, tissues, needles, sharps ARE contaminated
-all used treatment equipment/supplies ARE contaminated
• hepatitis b characteristics -✓✓-HIGHLY contagious virus that affects the liver
-spread through infected blood and body fluids
-can live for 7 days on surfaces
-often spread through cross contamination
-hep b Ab > 10 = immunity
-hep b Ab < 10 = susceptible
• how to stop spread of hepatitis b -✓✓-test for hepatitis b antigen
-patients who are immune can be placed in buffer zone (chairs outside the isolation
room)
-techs and nurses can ONLY work with hepatitis b immune patients if caring for a
hepatitis b positive patient
-place positive patients in the isolation (ISO) room
• disinfection process and bleach -✓✓-1:100 bleach = 1 part bleach to 99 parts
water
-1:10 bleach = 1 part bleach to 9 parts water
