Dialysis Technician Practice Exam

Which of the following is a key factor to monitor during dialysis treatment for pH balance?

1. Blood Volume

2. Dialysate Composition

3. Temperature Regulation

4. Fluid Removal Rate

The correct answer is: Dialysate Composition

Monitoring dialysate composition is crucial during dialysis treatment to maintain pH balance. The dialysate is a solution used in dialysis that helps to draw out waste products and excess fluids from the blood. Its composition includes various electrolytes and buffers, such as bicarbonate, which play a significant role in maintaining the patient’s acid-base balance. In particular, bicarbonate acts as a buffer that can help neutralize acids in the blood, which is key for patients who may have metabolic acidosis—a common complication in chronic kidney disease. If the composition of the dialysate is not properly adjusted, it could lead to disturbances in the patient's pH level, which can result in discomfort or complications during and after the treatment. Other factors, while important in their own right, do not directly influence pH balance as specifically as dialysate composition. Blood volume relates more to fluid status and hemodynamic stability, temperature regulation involves maintaining the patient’s core temperature, and fluid removal rate focuses on how much excess fluid is being taken off during dialysis. While all these elements are crucial during dialysis, they have less direct impact on managing pH balance compared to the specific choices made related to the dialysate itself.