Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) Practice Exam

Poor clearance during dialysis can result from several factors that affect the efficiency of waste removal from the blood. One significant factor is a low blood flow rate, which limits the amount of blood being processed through the dialyzer per unit of time. When blood flow is low, there is insufficient volume being filtered, leading to inadequate clearance of toxins and waste products.

Additionally, access recirculation can occur when there is a problem with the vascular access site, causing some of the blood that has already been dialyzed to flow back into the access point instead of being returned to the patient. This recirculated blood has already been partially cleaned, resulting in decreased overall clearance during the treatment.

Both low blood flow and access recirculation directly hinder the dialysis process's effectiveness, which is why this combination of factors is highlighted as a cause of poor clearance. Addressing these issues, such as increasing blood flow rate and ensuring optimal access function, is essential for improving the efficiency of the dialysis treatment.