Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Fluid overload is a common side effect of hemodialysis related to fluid management because patients typically have restrictions on fluid intake due to their reduced kidney function. During hemodialysis sessions, excess fluid that has accumulated between treatments is removed to minimize complications. However, if patients exceed their fluid intake recommendations, they may experience fluid overload, which can lead to hypertension, edema, or even heart failure.

While dehydration can occur, especially if too much fluid is removed during dialysis, it is not as commonly associated with fluid management issues as fluid overload. Electrolyte imbalances can also happen during dialysis, but they are more directly tied to the composition of dialysis solutions and how the body responds to treatment rather than fluid management specifically. Hypotension can occur during treatment, often as a result of fluid removal, but it is a secondary effect rather than a direct consequence of fluid management outside of the individual session. Thus, identifying fluid overload as a common side effect highlights the challenges in balancing fluid status for patients undergoing hemodialysis.