PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

Which of the following is NOT an indication for dialysis?

1. Acidosis

2. Excessive hyperkalemia

3. Chest pain

4. Uremia

The correct answer is: Chest pain

Dialysis is a medical treatment used to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys can no longer perform these functions. The primary indications for initiating dialysis include acidosis (specifically metabolic acidosis), elevated potassium levels (hyperkalemia), severe uremia, and fluid overload, which could lead to complications including chest pain. Acidosis is commonly treated with dialysis because it helps to correct the accumulation of acids that cannot be eliminated by the kidneys. Excessive hyperkalemia is another critical indication for dialysis, as high potassium levels can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Uremia, which refers to the accumulation of waste products in the body due to kidney dysfunction, also necessitates dialysis to improve patient outcomes. Chest pain, however, is not a direct indication for dialysis. While chest pain may arise in patients with kidney issues, it is often related to other underlying conditions, such as coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure, rather than a direct result of the need for renal replacement therapy. Therefore, it does not meet the established criteria for initiating dialysis. This distinction makes chest pain the correct choice for being the option that is not an indication for dialysis.