FRESENIUS PATIENT CARE TECHNICIAN (PCT) FINAL EXAM NEWEST
2026 – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED
ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES MUST BE IN ITALICS| GUARANTEED
PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of hemodialysis?
A. To cure kidney disease permanently
B. To replace some functions of failed kidneys by removing waste and excess fluid
C. To increase red blood cell production
D. To eliminate all medications from the body
Correct Answer: B. To replace some functions of failed kidneys by removing waste and excess fluid
Rationale: Hemodialysis removes waste products, toxins, and excess fluid from the blood when the
kidneys can no longer perform these functions adequately.
Question 2
Before initiating a dialysis treatment, the PCT should first:
A. Administer medications
B. Obtain the patient's pre-treatment weight and vital signs
C. Start the blood pump immediately
D. Disconnect the dialyzer
Correct Answer: B. Obtain the patient's pre-treatment weight and vital signs
Rationale: Pre-treatment assessment provides critical information regarding fluid removal goals and
the patient's readiness for dialysis.
Question 3
Which vascular access is generally considered the preferred access for long-term hemodialysis?
A. Central venous catheter
B. Peripheral IV line
C. Arteriovenous (AV) fistula
D. PICC line
Correct Answer: C. Arteriovenous (AV) fistula
Rationale: An AV fistula has the lowest infection risk and longest lifespan compared with other
vascular access types.
Question 4
,A bruit over an AV fistula is best described as:
A. A visual swelling of the access site
B. A pulse felt over the access site
C. A sound heard with a stethoscope over the access
D. A blood pressure measurement
Correct Answer: C. A sound heard with a stethoscope over the access
Rationale: A bruit is the audible sound of blood flowing through the fistula and indicates patency of
the access.
Question 5
The term "thrill" refers to:
A. A fever during dialysis
B. A vibration felt over the vascular access
C. An abnormal ECG reading
D. A type of dialysis machine alarm
Correct Answer: B. A vibration felt over the vascular access
Rationale: A thrill is the palpable vibration caused by blood flow through a functioning AV access.
Question 6
Which action helps prevent infection during cannulation?
A. Reusing gloves between patients
B. Skipping hand hygiene if gloves are worn
C. Using aseptic technique and proper hand hygiene
D. Touching the needle after skin preparation
Correct Answer: C. Using aseptic technique and proper hand hygiene
Rationale: Strict infection-control practices significantly reduce the risk of bloodstream and access-
site infections.
Question 7
The dialyzer is commonly referred to as the:
A. Blood pump
B. Artificial kidney
C. Air detector
D. Venous chamber
Correct Answer: B. Artificial kidney
, Rationale: The dialyzer contains a semipermeable membrane that removes waste and excess fluid,
functioning similarly to a kidney.
Question 8
Which patient assessment finding should be reported immediately?
A. Stable blood pressure
B. Normal pulse rate
C. Chest pain during dialysis
D. Comfortable positioning
Correct Answer: C. Chest pain during dialysis
Rationale: Chest pain may indicate a serious cardiovascular complication requiring immediate
intervention.
Question 9
What is ultrafiltration?
A. Removal of white blood cells
B. Removal of excess fluid during dialysis
C. Administration of medications
D. Blood clot prevention
Correct Answer: B. Removal of excess fluid during dialysis
Rationale: Ultrafiltration removes excess water from the bloodstream through pressure gradients
across the dialyzer membrane.
Question 10
A patient experiences dizziness and hypotension during treatment. The PCT should first:
A. Increase fluid removal
B. Ignore the symptoms
C. Follow facility protocol and notify the nurse immediately
D. End treatment without authorization
Correct Answer: C. Follow facility protocol and notify the nurse immediately
Rationale: Hypotension is a common dialysis complication that requires prompt assessment and
intervention according to facility procedures.
Question 11
The blood pump on a dialysis machine is responsible for:
2026 – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED
ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES MUST BE IN ITALICS| GUARANTEED
PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of hemodialysis?
A. To cure kidney disease permanently
B. To replace some functions of failed kidneys by removing waste and excess fluid
C. To increase red blood cell production
D. To eliminate all medications from the body
Correct Answer: B. To replace some functions of failed kidneys by removing waste and excess fluid
Rationale: Hemodialysis removes waste products, toxins, and excess fluid from the blood when the
kidneys can no longer perform these functions adequately.
Question 2
Before initiating a dialysis treatment, the PCT should first:
A. Administer medications
B. Obtain the patient's pre-treatment weight and vital signs
C. Start the blood pump immediately
D. Disconnect the dialyzer
Correct Answer: B. Obtain the patient's pre-treatment weight and vital signs
Rationale: Pre-treatment assessment provides critical information regarding fluid removal goals and
the patient's readiness for dialysis.
Question 3
Which vascular access is generally considered the preferred access for long-term hemodialysis?
A. Central venous catheter
B. Peripheral IV line
C. Arteriovenous (AV) fistula
D. PICC line
Correct Answer: C. Arteriovenous (AV) fistula
Rationale: An AV fistula has the lowest infection risk and longest lifespan compared with other
vascular access types.
Question 4
,A bruit over an AV fistula is best described as:
A. A visual swelling of the access site
B. A pulse felt over the access site
C. A sound heard with a stethoscope over the access
D. A blood pressure measurement
Correct Answer: C. A sound heard with a stethoscope over the access
Rationale: A bruit is the audible sound of blood flowing through the fistula and indicates patency of
the access.
Question 5
The term "thrill" refers to:
A. A fever during dialysis
B. A vibration felt over the vascular access
C. An abnormal ECG reading
D. A type of dialysis machine alarm
Correct Answer: B. A vibration felt over the vascular access
Rationale: A thrill is the palpable vibration caused by blood flow through a functioning AV access.
Question 6
Which action helps prevent infection during cannulation?
A. Reusing gloves between patients
B. Skipping hand hygiene if gloves are worn
C. Using aseptic technique and proper hand hygiene
D. Touching the needle after skin preparation
Correct Answer: C. Using aseptic technique and proper hand hygiene
Rationale: Strict infection-control practices significantly reduce the risk of bloodstream and access-
site infections.
Question 7
The dialyzer is commonly referred to as the:
A. Blood pump
B. Artificial kidney
C. Air detector
D. Venous chamber
Correct Answer: B. Artificial kidney
, Rationale: The dialyzer contains a semipermeable membrane that removes waste and excess fluid,
functioning similarly to a kidney.
Question 8
Which patient assessment finding should be reported immediately?
A. Stable blood pressure
B. Normal pulse rate
C. Chest pain during dialysis
D. Comfortable positioning
Correct Answer: C. Chest pain during dialysis
Rationale: Chest pain may indicate a serious cardiovascular complication requiring immediate
intervention.
Question 9
What is ultrafiltration?
A. Removal of white blood cells
B. Removal of excess fluid during dialysis
C. Administration of medications
D. Blood clot prevention
Correct Answer: B. Removal of excess fluid during dialysis
Rationale: Ultrafiltration removes excess water from the bloodstream through pressure gradients
across the dialyzer membrane.
Question 10
A patient experiences dizziness and hypotension during treatment. The PCT should first:
A. Increase fluid removal
B. Ignore the symptoms
C. Follow facility protocol and notify the nurse immediately
D. End treatment without authorization
Correct Answer: C. Follow facility protocol and notify the nurse immediately
Rationale: Hypotension is a common dialysis complication that requires prompt assessment and
intervention according to facility procedures.
Question 11
The blood pump on a dialysis machine is responsible for:
