Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) Practice Exam

Exposure to bacteria in water used for dialysis can lead to severe infections, which often manifest with systemic symptoms. Fever and chills are common indicators of an infection, as the body raises its temperature to fight off pathogens. When bacteria enter the bloodstream or cause infections in the body, such as in cases of bacteremia or sepsis, the immune response triggers these symptoms as part of the inflammatory reaction.

The other symptoms mentioned, although possible in various scenarios, typically indicate different conditions or causes. Nausea can occur from a range of factors including medication side effects or gastrointestinal issues, skin rashes may reflect allergic reactions or irritant exposures, and headaches can result from many non-infectious causes. While these symptoms can also be present in various infections, fever and chills specifically point to the body’s response to bacterial presence and are more directly related to infection outcomes.