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Allied Health · CCHT

Dialysis Technician Basics

Hemodialysis principles, dialyzer setup, and patient monitoring during treatment tested on dialysis technician certification exams.

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What is the primary purpose of hemodialysis?
To remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do so.
What is diffusion in dialysis?
Movement of solutes across a semipermeable membrane from higher to lower concentration.
What is ultrafiltration in dialysis?
Removal of excess fluid from the blood using a pressure gradient across the dialyzer membrane.
What is a dialyzer commonly called?
An artificial kidney.
What separates blood and dialysate inside a dialyzer?
A semipermeable membrane.
In a dialyzer, how does dialysate flow relative to the direction of blood flow?
In the opposite direction (countercurrent flow).
What is dialysate?
A fluid solution used to draw waste products and excess fluid out of the blood during dialysis.
Which vascular access type is preferred for long-term hemodialysis?
The arteriovenous (AV) fistula.
How is an AV fistula created?
By surgically connecting an artery directly to a vein.
What is a thrill in a vascular access?
A vibration felt when palpating a functioning AV fistula or graft.
What is a bruit?
A whooshing sound heard with a stethoscope over a functioning AV fistula or graft.
What should a technician do if a thrill or bruit is absent in a vascular access?
Report it immediately, since it may indicate clotting.
What is an AV graft?
A synthetic tube surgically placed to connect an artery and a vein for dialysis access.
When is a central venous catheter (CVC) typically used for dialysis access?
When a fistula or graft is not yet ready, or in emergency situations.
How many needles are typically used during hemodialysis with a fistula or graft?
Two, an arterial needle and a venous needle.

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