FRESENIUS PCT NEW HIRE EXAM -
Questions & Answers
What are the anatomical structures of the urinary system in order of urine
flow? Correct Ans - (2) Kidneys, (2) ureters, (1) bladder, (1) urethra.
Which of the functions of healthy kidneys are replaced by dialysis?
Correct Ans - Removal of waste products, and Regulation of fluid balance
What is the function of renin? Correct Ans - Renin is a hormone
produced by the kidneys with important effects on the regulation of blood
pressure, and on sodium and potassium balance
Erythropoietin Correct Ans - stimulates the bone marrow to produce
red blood cells (RBSc).
Why must the kidney activate Vitamin D? Correct Ans - The kidney
converts Vitamin D to Calcitriol, its activated form. This activated form of
Vitamin D helps to maintain good bone health by helping absorb calcium from
foods eaten
What causes renal osteodystrophy (bone disease)? Correct Ans - No
longer produce calcitriol - the active form of Vitamin D o Inadequate or
lacking calcitriol causes demineralization of the bone - bone begins to break
down to release the calcium needed for body functioning No longer excrete
excess phosphorus (PO4) o Phosphorus is found in most foods and beverages
o Increased PO4 levels cause further calcium bone loss
What are the body fluid compartments? Correct Ans - Intracellular-
inside the cells • Extracellular-outside the cells • Intravascular-inside the
blood vessels • Interstitial-between the cells
What is homeostasis? Correct Ans - Maintaining a stable internal
environment
uremia Correct Ans - build up of waste
, What is a semi-permeable membrane? Correct Ans - A membrane
made from protein, with small pores or holes. Only certain molecules can fit
through.
At what point during the hemodialysis treatment will diffusion cease to occur?
Correct Ans - Diffusion will continue throughout the dialysis treatment
until the concentration of each electrolyte found in the patient's blood is equal
to the electrolyte concentration in the dialysate.
What is countercurrent flow? Correct Ans - Blood and dialysate flow
in opposite directions
What happens to diffusion when dialyzer fibers clot? Correct Ans -
Clotted fibers cause the permeability of the fiber to be reduced or eliminated,
causing a decrease in treatment adequacy. As a result , diffusion does not
occur as particles cannot diffuse across the membrane.
What are the compartments of the dialyzer and what separates them?
Correct Ans - The blood compartment is separated from the dialysate
compartment by a semi-permeable membrane. The blood and dialysate do not
mix together.
What are three types of solutions? Correct Ans - • Hypotonic-
containing less particles • Isotonic-containing equal particles • Hypertonic-
containing more particles
When is it known that a patient has developed sensitivity to a dialyzer?
Correct Ans - Patients develop mild to severe reactions in some cases,
usually seen the first half hour of treatment. Sneezing, itching, pain at the
access site, chest pain, rashing, hives, fever, all may be symptoms of dialyzer
membrane allergy, or allergy to the sterilant used in the manufacturing
process
What volume should be used for fresh fill/run off? Correct Ans - 50 ml
of saline should be drained from the arterial line and 250 ml should be
drained from the venous line
Questions & Answers
What are the anatomical structures of the urinary system in order of urine
flow? Correct Ans - (2) Kidneys, (2) ureters, (1) bladder, (1) urethra.
Which of the functions of healthy kidneys are replaced by dialysis?
Correct Ans - Removal of waste products, and Regulation of fluid balance
What is the function of renin? Correct Ans - Renin is a hormone
produced by the kidneys with important effects on the regulation of blood
pressure, and on sodium and potassium balance
Erythropoietin Correct Ans - stimulates the bone marrow to produce
red blood cells (RBSc).
Why must the kidney activate Vitamin D? Correct Ans - The kidney
converts Vitamin D to Calcitriol, its activated form. This activated form of
Vitamin D helps to maintain good bone health by helping absorb calcium from
foods eaten
What causes renal osteodystrophy (bone disease)? Correct Ans - No
longer produce calcitriol - the active form of Vitamin D o Inadequate or
lacking calcitriol causes demineralization of the bone - bone begins to break
down to release the calcium needed for body functioning No longer excrete
excess phosphorus (PO4) o Phosphorus is found in most foods and beverages
o Increased PO4 levels cause further calcium bone loss
What are the body fluid compartments? Correct Ans - Intracellular-
inside the cells • Extracellular-outside the cells • Intravascular-inside the
blood vessels • Interstitial-between the cells
What is homeostasis? Correct Ans - Maintaining a stable internal
environment
uremia Correct Ans - build up of waste
, What is a semi-permeable membrane? Correct Ans - A membrane
made from protein, with small pores or holes. Only certain molecules can fit
through.
At what point during the hemodialysis treatment will diffusion cease to occur?
Correct Ans - Diffusion will continue throughout the dialysis treatment
until the concentration of each electrolyte found in the patient's blood is equal
to the electrolyte concentration in the dialysate.
What is countercurrent flow? Correct Ans - Blood and dialysate flow
in opposite directions
What happens to diffusion when dialyzer fibers clot? Correct Ans -
Clotted fibers cause the permeability of the fiber to be reduced or eliminated,
causing a decrease in treatment adequacy. As a result , diffusion does not
occur as particles cannot diffuse across the membrane.
What are the compartments of the dialyzer and what separates them?
Correct Ans - The blood compartment is separated from the dialysate
compartment by a semi-permeable membrane. The blood and dialysate do not
mix together.
What are three types of solutions? Correct Ans - • Hypotonic-
containing less particles • Isotonic-containing equal particles • Hypertonic-
containing more particles
When is it known that a patient has developed sensitivity to a dialyzer?
Correct Ans - Patients develop mild to severe reactions in some cases,
usually seen the first half hour of treatment. Sneezing, itching, pain at the
access site, chest pain, rashing, hives, fever, all may be symptoms of dialyzer
membrane allergy, or allergy to the sterilant used in the manufacturing
process
What volume should be used for fresh fill/run off? Correct Ans - 50 ml
of saline should be drained from the arterial line and 250 ml should be
drained from the venous line
