DaVita ICHD Nurse/PCT Test 2026/2027 Dialysis Training Program – Questions and Answers A+ Study Guide

DaVita ICHD Nurse/PCT Test questions and answers
2026\2027 A+ Grade


Cardiac Arrest:
- correct answer Definition: Cessation of heart beat.



Signs/Symptoms: Absence of pulse, lack of respiration, unresponsiveness



Interventions:Assess ABC's, get help, CPR, return blood, keep access open, call EMS, maintain patency of
needles or CVC ports with NS



Angina
- correct answer Definition: Chest pain or discomfort due to Coronary Heart Disease. Occurs when heart
muscle doesn't get as much blood as it needs. May also feel discomfort in neck, jaw, shoulder, back or
arm. Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing pain in center of chest.



S/S: Chest pain, difficulty breathing, nausea



Interventions: Reduce BFR to 150, reduce UFR, give O2, monitor cardiac rhythm/VS



Dialysis Disequilibrium Syndrome (DDS)
- correct answer Definition: A condition in which rapid or drastic changes in the patient's extracellular
fluid affect the brain



S/S: Headache, hypertension, nausea, restlessness, convulsions/seizures, confusion, blurred vision



Intervention: decrease BFR and DFR, shorter initial treatments,

,Hypertension
- correct answer Definition: high blood pressure (Pre-Dialysis: >140/90; Post> 130/80)



S/S: No symptoms, headache, dizziness, Irritability, Blurred vision, nervousness, edema secondary to
fluid retention



Intervention:Determine cause, maintain fluid balance take medications as prescribed, notify MD



hypotension
- correct answer Definition: low blood pressure (Systolic: <90, Diastolic: <60 or drop in systolic more
than 20 mm/hg



S/S: flushing, yawning, dizziness, ear ringing, tachycardia, anxiousness, nausea/vomiting, cold clammy
skin, seizures, cardiac arrest



Interventions: place pt in supine position, decrease UFR to minimum, provide drinking water for less
severe hypotension, give 100-200 mL saline for severe hypotension, monitor BP, notify RN



Muscle Cramps
- correct answer Definition: painful muscle contractions in extremities or abdomen typically occurring
due to rapid/excessive fluid removal.



S/S: painful cramps usually occuring later in dialysis



Intervention: massage or apply opposing force, give normal saline bolus, reduce UFR, assess dry weight



Fever & Chills
- correct answer Definition: Any temp greater than 100° F or increase over baseline of 2° F with
symptoms



S/S: Temp >100°F, involuntary shaking, chills, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, headache, hypotension,
tachycardia, hot flushed skin, dry mucous membranes

, Interventions: nurse must assess pt for possible cause of fever, notify treating nephrologist and obtain
cultures per protocol, administer antibiotics as ordered



Pyrogen Reaction
- correct answer Definitions: elevated temp- usually occurs 45-75 min into treatment as a result of
pyrogens (endotoxins)



S/S: chills, shaking, fever, hypotension, vomiting, muscle pain



Intervention: Provide support, report pt s/s to RN, stop tx, do not return blood, notify MD.



Seizures
- correct answer Definition: involuntary muscle spasms and loss of consciousness



S/S: change in level of consciousness, twitching/jerking movements of the extremities



Intervention: protect pt and access arm from harm, protect airway, administer O2, d/c dialysis



Blood Loss
- correct answer Definition: loss of blood typically due to dislodged needle, bleeding at access site,
disconnection of lines, system clotted and unable to return blood.



S/S: hypotension, loss of consciousness, blood on floor, chair or clothing, blood lead detector alarm, VP
alarm if needle dislodged or line separate, TMP alarm, visible clots in chamber



Interventions: Manage symptoms, give saline replacement if needed, give O2, fix cause



Clotted Dialyzer
- correct answer Definition: Dialyzer membrane clotted