Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

A shunt observed on an elderly woman’s left forearm indicates what?

1. She receives hemodialysis treatments

2. She has a recent injury

3. She has a vascular disease

4. She is a diabetic patient

The correct answer is: She receives hemodialysis treatments

A shunt located on an elderly woman's left forearm is typically indicative of a connection between an artery and a vein, often established for medical purposes such as hemodialysis. In patients with chronic kidney disease or renal failure, hemodialysis is a treatment used to filter waste from the blood. To facilitate this treatment, a vascular access point, such as a shunt or fistula, is created, allowing for efficient blood flow to and from the dialysis machine. This can be observed on the forearm, where the shunt is usually more visible. In contrast, a recent injury, vascular disease, or diabetes do not specifically correlate with the presence of a shunt on the forearm in the same manner. While these conditions may affect the circulatory system or lead to other complications, they do not commonly require the establishment of a shunt for treatment as part of standard management. Hence, the correct interpretation of the shunt is its association with hemodialysis treatments.