Dialysis Technician Practice Exam

What can happen if a dialysis machine is improperly calibrated?

1. Increased Blood Flow Rates

2. Improved Filtration

3. Dialysis Inefficacy

4. Faster Recovery Times

The correct answer is: Dialysis Inefficacy

Improper calibration of a dialysis machine can lead to dialysis inefficacy, which means that the treatment will not adequately remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood. The accuracy of the machine’s settings is crucial for effective treatment because it determines how well the dialysis process—specifically ultrafiltration and diffusion—operates. If the machine is off-balance or incorrectly calibrated, patients may not receive the full benefit of the therapy, leading to an accumulation of toxins in the blood, potential complications, and overall poor health outcomes. Ensuring that the dialysis machine is properly calibrated is essential for achieving optimal results and maintaining patient safety. The other options, while they may seem plausible in the context of dialysis treatment, do not address the primary issue of calibration error directly affecting treatment efficacy. Increased blood flow rates, improved filtration, and faster recovery times would typically stem from proper calibration and technique, rather than the dysfunction associated with improper settings.