Certified Hemodialysis Technician Practice Exam 2026 - Free Hemodialysis Technician Practice Questions and Study Guide

In the context of performing a water quality check for hemodialysis, one of the primary concerns is ensuring that the water used in the dialysis treatment is free from harmful chemicals that could adversely affect patients. Chlorine and chloramine are common disinfectants found in municipal water supplies. Their presence can lead to complications in patients undergoing dialysis since these substances can cause adverse reactions when in contact with the dialyzer and may interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment.

Chlorine is particularly harmful as it is a potent oxidizing agent, and if it enters the bloodstream, it can cause damage to red blood cells. Chloramine, although more stable than chlorine, can also lead to similar harmful effects. Therefore, checking for chlorine and chloramine is crucial in ensuring the water meets safety standards for dialysis treatment.

Other considerations, such as pH levels, heavy metals, and microbial contaminants, are also important in water quality assessments, but chlorine and chloramine are critical to monitor specifically because of their immediate impact on patient safety and treatment efficacy in the hemodialysis process.